Iviii Rushy on studying the diseases of Animals. 



cic duct in ahorse by Eustachius ; of the lacteals in a kid by 

 Erasistratus, and of the pancreas in a turkey, by Dr. Mau- 

 rice Hoffman, led to the discovery of the same parts in the 

 human body ; and it is well known that the circulation ot 

 the blood, and the peristaltic motion of the bowels in man, 

 were first suggested by experiments and observations upon 

 those functions in some of the above named animals. 



Many useful hints have been taken -Vom the instincts of do- 

 mestic animals. They generally retire to places of silence 

 and darkness, and discover an unwillingness to move, and 

 to eat, when indisposed, and thereby teach us the advanta- 

 ges of retirement, rest and abstinence in the beginning of 

 acute diseases. 



The approach of epidemics is often known by the sickness 

 of certain domestic animals, or by their deserting our habi- 

 tations. 



Many useful remedies for the cure of the diseases of the 

 human body, have been discovered by observing their salu- 

 tary effects upon domestic animals. The hellebore was in- 

 troduced into practice as a purge, in consequence of its purg- 

 ing qualities having been observed in the goat. The use of 

 the seton in certam diseases of the human body, was first 

 suggested by its efficacy in the diseases ot cattle.. The be- 

 nefits of frictions in glandular diseases, are pointed out by 

 the improvement in the quality of the milk, and the increase 

 of its quantity, which are obtained by currying the cow. 



The benefits of fasting in fevers, are strongly urged by the 

 slow putrefaction oi the flesh of domestic animals, which are 

 deprived of food several days before they are killed. 



The benefits of wakefulness, and a standing posture in cur- 

 ing madness, are suggested by the practice of some of the 

 farmers in England, who tame the most intractable and vi- 

 cious horses, by confining them in a pound, and keeping 

 them awake and upon their feet, by pricking them with a 

 sharp nail, for three or four days, whenever they show a dis- 

 position to sleep or to lie down. 



