DISEASE, FEVER, AND INFLAMMATION. 99 



when horses are bled, their convalescence is very tedious. 

 All medical men agree that inflammation is favorable to the 

 healing process, and without it no wound could be healed. 

 How, then, can it be called disease, but by an oversight of the 

 vital aid which it gives to the different organs ? 



Causes of Disease. — These are numerous. Any thing that 

 can in any way disable an organ to perform its proper func- 

 tion, is a direct cause of disease. There are other causes, as 

 hereditary taints, sudden changes from heat to cold, over- 

 exertion, and want of proper exercise. Overfeeding is one 

 of the principal causes of disease ; the bad quality of the hay 

 or oats, bad water, and inattention to ventilation j the un- 

 necessary dosing with improper medicines. 



Poisons — Either taken into the alimentary canal, or by 

 absorption through the external surface, or the lungs ; blood- 

 letting, and sluicing cold water on the animal after active 

 exercise. 



The indications of cure are to relax spasm, as in lockjaw, 

 or in obstructed surfaces, constipation of the bowels, &c. ,' 

 to contract and strengthen relaxed and weak organs, as in 

 general debility, diarrhoea, scouring, lampas, &c. ; to stimu- 

 late inactive organs ; to remove all obstructions to the free 

 action of all the organs j to equalize the circulation, and 

 distribute the blood to the external surface and extremities, 

 as in congestions ; to furnish the animal with sufficient 

 nutriment to build up the waste, and prevent friction. 



No matter what be the nature of the disease, our treatment 

 is always conducted on these principles. 



Dr. Curtis observes, "All the fluids of the system are 

 moved through it by the alternate contractions and relaxa- 

 tions of the vessels from which they are sent, and in which 

 they are transmitted ; thus the blood is thrown by these 

 actions of the heart and arteries, and returned by the same 

 movements. The chyle is absorbed or elaborated, and carried 

 to the circulation ; and the lymph is taken up and united 

 with it by the alternate contractions and relaxations of the 

 fibres which compose the coats of the tubes through which 



