206 The Causes of Disease, 



the actions and uses of medicines which is an 

 affair of a lifetime. Let them become perfect 

 in stable management, it will gain them far more 

 lasting emolument than they can hope for in a 

 scientific path which their feet are not designed 

 by nature to tread. 



An instance of the absurdity of these daily 

 mistakes may not be out of place. A groom 

 recently consulted the author and desired to have 

 medicine, naming the constituents, and stated he 

 had been .with a medical man and knew all the 

 properties of drugs. 



It transpired the animal for which the medi- 

 cines were required had been dosed for months, 

 under the supposition that she was suffering from 

 worms. " But/' said he, " it's all to no purpose, she 

 gets no better, and I thought I would give you a 

 trial." Searching inquiries were instituted, and 

 DO doubt being raised as to the proper nature of 

 the ailment, and its entire dependence upon causes 

 hidden from the applicant, he was sent home with 

 instructions " to give good food at regular inter- 

 vals, exercise daily for two hours when not at 

 work, and either put a muzzle upon the animal 

 after feeding, or allow her only tan or sawdust 

 for bedding." 



The advice was, however, thrown away. As he 

 could not obtain medicine which was known to 

 be not required, and even dangerous, another 

 was applied to ; the man physicked, and the mare 

 died suddenly, her carcass blocking the entrance 



