203 



THE CAUSES OF DISEASE, AND ITS 

 PREVENTION. 



THIS is a subject upon which volumes might be 

 written. At present the information has little 

 weight in many quarters, either from a lingering 

 prejudice in favour of old customs, or incapability 

 of accepting the full nature of the truths con- 

 tained in the premises. 



In a majority of instances disease arises from 

 mismanagement and a want of the proper 

 principles which insure health. Imperfect stable 

 management is a prolific source. Much of this 

 has already been detailed. If we need incontro- 

 vertible proof, we have but to turn to the racing, 

 hunting, and other stables, where all is order and 

 perfection. There disease seldom appears. If 

 it does, in ninety-nine cases out of a hundred it is 

 of the most intractable character, and traced to 

 be dependent upon causes beyond control. 



Among many of our farm and town studs^ 

 feeding upon inferior provender, and the use of 

 so called " alterative" medicine, works great mis- 

 chief. The common principle is to allow mis- 

 management to proceed for some time, and 

 constantly drug, the animals with medicines of 

 which the groom can know but very little. The 



