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268 THE GENESEE FAKMEE. 



and a due proportion of hay, corn blades, shucks, straw, pea-\'ines, or other forage, which 

 had better be cut before it is consumed. If this forage is sound, bright, and was har- 

 vested at the right time, less grain will suffice to keep horses in a good condition. 

 Where one has neither hay, nor blades, nor straw, much care should be had lest highly 

 nutritive food, like corn, produce eruptions on the skiu, enlargement of the liver, yellow 

 water, and other maladies. If no otlier bulky forage can be had, horses should have 

 browse with their grain to aid in distending the stomach and intestines ; for bulk is an 

 important element in healthy digestion. 



Glanders and fa7-ci/ have a common origin, the vitiated state of the blood, and are 

 regarded as only different stages of a progressive disorder. As induced by insnllicient 

 or bad food, farcy usually appears first ; and may continue for some time before any 

 symptoms of glanders present themselves. Farcy is characterized a« an unhealthy 

 inflammation of the absorbent vessels and glands, which become swollen from the depo- 

 sition of lymph, and soon ulcerate and discharge matter of a morbid and varying char- 

 acter. The poison from farcy-buds is carried in the blood to all parts of the body, and 

 under favorable circumstances, rapidly produces itself. Tubercles are formed in all the 

 lymphatic glands and in the substance of the lungs. Ulcerations appear on the mucous 

 membrane of the nostrils, which is attacked on account of its high vascularity. Those 

 parts first undergo disintegration which require for their healthy existence the largest 

 amount of blood. Between the first symptoms of farcy and glanders, and the fatal 

 termination of tbe disease, a very variable time intervenes, according to the strength 

 or feebleness of the constitution, and the virulence of the malady. Whatever impairs 

 the general health, or in any way vitiates the integrity of the system, may be regarded 

 as a cause of glanders. It follows colds, influenzas, strangles, diabetes, and perhaps all 

 other debilitating affections incident to bad shelters, over-work, and insufficient food. 

 Like all other diseases that mark the premature loss of vital power, farcy and glanders 

 are much easier prevented than cured. When from any cause the glands, mucous or 

 serous membranes of an animal become inflamed, while its general health and constitu- 

 tion are yet unimpaired, the purulent or aqueous secretions that may ensue, as in colds 

 or common distempers, are of a healthy nature, and they serve to work off the inflam- 

 matory action, which results in a speedy and perfect recovery. To maintain the stamina 

 of life in full vigor in all animals of any value, is an object of great importance; for the 

 principle applies to persons as well as to beasts and birds. Proper care and protection, 

 avoiding all extremes and unnecessary exposures, and feeding regularly, that the system 

 may never be surfeited by an exess of nutrient matter in the digestive and assimilative 

 organs, and never weakened by a deficiency of the same, are the cardinal points in 

 animal physiology to be kept constantly in view. All infected animals should be 

 removed from those still undiseased, kst the exhalations from the former, and perhaps 

 direct contact, communicate the distemper .to the latter. In systems pre-disposed to 

 any malady, it requires the least possible poison, acting as leaven, to excite a morbid 

 action in organs previously in an apparently sound condition. Under skilful treatment, 

 glandered horses sometimes live and perform labor for a number of years. This, how- 

 ever, only proves what every close observer must have witnessed, that had the same care 

 been taken of health before it was partially sacrificed, that was exhibited aftei'wards, no 

 injury of the kind would have occurred. When medical men shall come to understand 

 their noble mission, and the people comprehend their true interests, the prevention of 

 maladies, not their cure, will be the grand purpose of what is now the Healing Art. 

 Physicians ought to be better paid for the patient study and wisdom that prevents 

 sickness, with its pains, loss of time, and other incidental expenses and misfortunes, 

 than for the less skill of treating diseases according to the prescribed rules and theories 

 of the profession. 



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