60 PHYSIC. ^ 



That which would destroy an ordinary life, acting upon an existence 

 sinking to its last sleep, may, to the blindness of mortal recognitions, 

 appear to work without sensible result, or may seem to recall the fleet- 

 ing spirit back to earth. At all events, no sound deduction can be 

 drawn, as to the action of any medicinal substances upon the healthy 

 body, from the apparent influence exerted by such agents upon decrepi- 

 tude and upon senility. 



The so-called experiments, which are here alluded to only to reprobate 

 them as horrible cruelties, very probably have induced the carelessness 

 that prevails throughout veterinary practice as to the use of caustic 

 bodies among its customary medicines. Such salts should, on no account, 

 be exhibited in substance, if, indeed, their supposititious virtues should 

 recommend them at all to the prescriber. During the years which the 

 author was in practice he scrupulously abjured all these abominations, 

 and the results which were obtained by gentler agents were such as did 

 no discredit to the adoption of milder measures. 



Humanity should prevail consistently throughout all acts forced upon 

 the life which Providence has intrusted to our mercy. If the recogni- 

 tion of this duty, as an actuating motive, be a weakness, in its adoption 

 is carried its own defense. If charity does no good, it cannot possibly 

 work harm to the dumb life upon which its offices are expended ; whereas, 

 when administering balls to horses, the cruelty often indulged causes many 

 of these gentle animals to acquire those habits of resistance which are 

 at first no more than the wild efforts of conscious helplessness aiming at 

 self-defense. Such timid creatures, influenced by fear, will instinctively 

 rear, kick, and vigorously attack whoever may approach them. 



He who will have the patience and the courage to encounter what is 

 in stable language denominated "a savage horse," may do so with every 

 confidence. Let him approach the quadruped alone, when the groom is 

 absent and silence reigns around. Nothing must be done quickly. When 

 the horse moves, the man must remaui stationary. Every symptom of 

 alarm must be assuaged by kind looks and gentle words. When the horse 

 is convinced that no injury is designed — and it is astonishing how quickly 

 a generous spirit will comprehend the intentions of benevolence — in pro- 

 portion as ferocity was previously displayed will gratitude gush forth and 

 submit the huge body to man's pleasure. 



If, however, the person has neither time nor inclination to undertake 

 such a trial, then, with an animal having a tendency to become excited, 

 he must adopt one of those mechanical restraints known as balling-irons. 

 These things axe not altogether safe for their employer, while they are 

 decidedly not beneficial in their operation upon the quadruped. A ball- 

 ing-iron is simply a piece of metal, so shaped that when thrust violently 



