328 THE NATURE AND TREATMENT OP 



"We might say the same as regards our truck horses, wliose 

 labors are very fatiguing ; they come from their work, and, as 

 soon as unharnessed, go to the trough and imbibe from one to 

 three buckets, without any bad effect. Some animals need 

 more water than others ; the kind of work, the temperature of 

 the atmosphere, and the nature of the food, whether it be wet 

 or dry, all tend to diversify an animal's wants. The domesti- 

 cated horse requires a bountiful supply of good water ; his 

 body is composed of seventy-five per cent of the same, and ho 

 can no more exist without it than he can without food. 



A cow or ox is probably the best judge, as regards its own 

 wants, as to the quantity of water needed. It is not the quan- 

 tity which a rational animal imbibes which does harm, but it is 

 the quality that demands our attention. 



Thirsty people drink all the cold water they need; then why 

 deprive a cow or horse of what they actually need ? Consider 

 the condition of the inhabitants of populous cities during the 

 summer season. Thirst amounts almost to a disease, and, in 

 view of quenching it, the thirsty are continually imbibing 

 water, rendered cold, hot, sour, sweet, or alkaline, just as fancy 

 dictates, or as fashion prevails ; cold" ices and other fixings are 

 called into requisition, to smother the fire of thirst that rages 

 within ; everybody partakes freely, the young and the aged, 

 the exhausted and vigorous ; the laborer, exhausted by a hard 

 day's work, and the rich man of no work, each and all are 

 doing their best to see the bottom of the pitcher, and to pitch 

 their bodies into the watery element ; yet, afler all, how few 

 persons complain of any bad effects from it ! 



Inquire into the history of some of the acute maladies that 

 are supposed to arise from water-drinking, and it will be found 

 that many of the sufferers have a peculiarity of constitution, 

 which renders them amenable to the laws of primogenial dis- 

 ease, which, although latent under ordinary circumstances, can, 

 by disturbing the life forces, through neglect, cruelty, and over- 

 work, be developed at almost any time of life. 



Cattle should never be allowed to drink pond water. They 

 should either have access to a running stream, or a clean water 

 trough. 



