244 DICTIONARY OF THE VETERINARY ART. 



A want of vital action, occasioned, says Dr. White, " by in- 

 flammation," which he calls disease. Now, it is evident that 

 no vital action, as that of fever and inflammation, can be 

 properly termed disease. The only action that can be prop- 

 erly termed disease, is the chemical action manifested in 

 suppuration and gangrene. This is the great popular error 

 that we are laboring to overcome. It is that of attributing 

 disease and death to the action of the powers of life. When 

 a part is become diseased, especially the foot, (for from it the 

 blood has a kind of up-hill work to perform, in returning to 

 the heart by the veins,) there is a low state of vitality ; very 

 little can be accomplished by the vital powers, amounting 

 only to a low form of inflammation. And, of course, the 

 chemical power of decomposition, always present and never 

 tired, gets the advantage and decomposes the part ; we then 

 have thrush, which if improperly treated, the hoof falls off 

 by the process of decomposition, or, in other words, mor- 

 tification. It becomes separated from the living parts, for 

 want of inflammation, or vital supremacy, over chemical 

 agency ; and then the loss of the hoof is strangely attributed 

 to inflammation, or the vital power, which did all it could to 

 prevent such a termination. 



Hoof Casting. A partial, or complete separation of the 

 horse's hoof from the sensitive foot. (See plate 5, part first.) 



Hoose. A term used by cow doctors. It signifies a 

 cough, either chronic or acute, with which cattle are affected 

 from exposure to cold winds or rain. 



Horehound. A bitter vegetable, used in horse practice as 

 a tonic and expectorant. 



Hoven. (See Blasted.) 



Hydatid. A thin bladder containing a fluid resembling 

 water, and nearly transparent. It is found in different ani- 

 mals. In sheep, it occasions a disease named gid, or giddi- 

 ness ; the hydatid being found in one of the ventricles of the 

 brain, or in its convolutions. On account of the pressure it 

 makes on the brain, it disturbs the functions of that important 

 organ, especially when the sheep are hurried or driven. 



