Objections to the Use of Dry Food. 57 



several farmers because they obtained crops of 

 oats in places where they were not required, after 

 using it on the land. I have also observed the 

 heap of manure literally covered with green 

 blades from the growing oats. How was this, 

 and why has such a simple circumstance had no 

 better effect than to induce a system of porridge 

 feeding for an animal eminently unfitted for it ? 



It was in this wise. The remedy was sought 

 for in a manner too superficially ; and in the 

 absence of an acquaintance with the principles of 

 management, the horse has been compelled to 

 suffer for the omissions of others. 



In such cases I have known carpenters, and 

 even more unlikely men appealed to for informa- 

 tion and a remedy. The system resembles very 

 much that so commonly adopted under certain 

 Acts of Parliament, where discretion and power 

 is given to tailors, joiners, bailiffs, policemen 

 et hoc genus omne, to pronounce in a magisterial 

 court what is cruelty to animals in a medical 

 point of view, and to descant upon the patholo- 

 gical signs which prove a carcass to be diseased, 

 and all this in the teeth of an educated scien- 

 tific witness. 



Such matters require dealing with philosophi- 

 cally. They are not within the comprehension of 

 every clodhopper, groom, and coachman, who 

 fancies he knows all about a horse because he 

 cleans him. Their duties lie in the practical ad- 

 ministration of the brush and broom, and faithful 



