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Sectioi? yi.— on the hygienic teeatment 



OE THE SICK HOESE. 



One of the most important matters in the treatment of animals 

 when diseased, especially during the period of convalescence or 

 recovery, is their hygienic or dietetic management. It is a 

 species of knowledge indispensable to veterinary surgeons ; and 

 yet from the false views which are generally entertained not 

 only by the medical profession at large, but also by the majority 

 of all classes with regard to the power of the vital force to rectify 

 the organism when diseased, hygienic treatment in relation to the 

 state in question, has not received a tithe of that attention 

 which it merits. So long, indeed, as it continues an article of 

 belief tTiat physic cures disease, so long will those who practise 

 the healing art refrain from the study of hygiene, and of the 

 healing power of the vital force; both of which are to be 

 considered as holding an inseparable relation to each other. 



The only power which cures disease is the vital power ; and 

 the utmost which medicine can do, — and I at once admit that 

 it is a great deal, — is, by its action, to so influence the curative 

 power, or in other words, so direct or control it, as to place the 

 part diseased under the most favourable conditions inservient to 

 recovery. Until veterinary surgeons acquire a correct knowledge 

 as to what is the real curative power in disease, and treat their 



