NO. 13. 



THE farmers' cabinet. 



19i 



part of what is supposed to be known, in 

 relation to many subjects of practical interest 

 to the community. 



These propensities, when improperly in- 

 dulged, are extremely injurious to the exten- 

 sion of useful knowledge — and can only be 

 remedied, and the errors to which they have 

 led, corrected, by instituting a more careful 

 observance of facts, and adopting a more 

 rigid cind certain mode of reasoning upon 

 them. 



The study of the exact mathematical 

 sciences, is admirably suited to the promo- 

 tion of this object. They allow of no suppo- 

 sitions — no conjectures — every thing which 

 does not admit of satisfactory proof is re- 

 jected. If such studies could form a part 

 of the education of every child, they would 

 insensibly lead into habits of cautious and 

 rational investigation, well calculated to 

 ascertain truth, and expose error. Unfor- 

 tunately this cannot be done under the ex- 

 isting circumstances of society. 

 Another seriousobstacle to the advancement 

 of knowledge, is, the dissensions which ex- 

 ist between practical operators^ and theoretical 

 speculators. — This is not as it should be. In 

 every rational inquiry, theory and practice 

 should go hand in hand. Asco-laborators,they 

 shoald mutually assist,instruct and encourage 

 one another ; and not, as enemies, try to heap 

 obstacles in each other's way. — Experience 

 alone can furnish facts — but theory must ar- 

 range them in the proper order, form them 

 into a system, and establish upon them those 

 general conclusions which constitute science. 



There are few subjects, to which the fore- 

 going general remarks will more properly 

 apply — few, on which we have greater need 

 for well ascertained facts, and more satis- 

 factory theories, than that of the diseases 

 of our domestic animals. And why is it so ? 

 Because they have been, too generally, sub. 

 jected to the management of persons who 

 have never been taught to observe and ana- 

 lyze phenomena — to investigate facts — and 

 to draw conclusions from them, with suffi- 

 cient care. They have adopted the erroneous 

 opinions of their forefathers, and handed 



them down to their successors, with a ven- 

 eration due to well-authenticated truths ; 

 without ever submitting them to that neces- 

 sary ordeal, which a knowledge of the healthy 

 and diseased conditions of the animal organs 

 would justify and require, it is, indeed, in- 

 dispensable to a correct understanding of dis- 

 ease, that we shall first acquire a knowledge 

 of what constitutes health. We cannot un- 

 derstand, in what manner the animal functions 

 are disturbed, without possessing a previous 

 knowledge of their healthy state. The most 

 careful and minute inspection of diseased 

 parts, can yield but little information to one 

 who has not acquired a previous acquaintance 

 with their natural appearances, and healthy 

 structure. Without such an acquaintance, 

 the natural condition may very easily be 

 mistaken for a diseased one — and the ap- 

 pearances sought for, may, as easily, be 

 overlooked. The nature of disease can only 

 be inferred, from a careful comparison 

 of the deranged state of the functions and 

 structure of the diseased animal organs, with 

 their natural healthy condition. If my views 

 are correct, it will follow, that the knowledge 

 we possess of brute diseases, is vague and 

 uncertain — that it contains many erroneous 

 dogmas, and much useless lumber, which 

 ought to be expunged — and that the whole 

 requires a close revision and correction. — 

 To effect this expurgation of "stabnlarian 

 ignorance and empirical confidence" — it will 

 often be necessary to commence at the be- 

 ginning of the chapter. To study, first, the 

 anatomical structure and healthy functions 

 of the animal organs. Then by a cautious 

 observance of the signs of disease, and a 

 careful inspection of the organs, after death, 

 we shall be able to ascertain the nature of the 

 malady. Having determined the nature 

 of the disease — and not until then — we may 

 hope to arrive at safe, and successful prin- 

 ciples, to guide us in the treatment. We 

 can no more expect success from ignorance 

 and quackery in the treatment of a brute 

 animal than a man. 



These observations are not intended to 

 introduce me to the " Cabinet" as a regular 



