ON HYGIENIC TEEATMENT. 109 



patients in accordance with such knowledge, it is hopeless to 

 expect a more rational system of therapeutics than what at 

 present prevails. 



The relation which hygiene holds to the vital power, is 

 too obvious to require explanation. Hygienic treatment, is 

 simply food treatment. Unless food of a proper kind, and in 

 proper quantities, be supplied to the organism, it is a fact known 

 to every one that the vital force will speedily cease to act. 



During the existence of acute disease, hygiene can only be 

 regarded as holding a subordinate position with respect to any 

 direct influence which it may exert upon the curative power of 

 the organism ; but when recovery becomes fairly established, or 

 where the animal is debilitated, or threatened with disease, no 

 matter from what causes, it is to all intents and purposes the 

 principal ground upon which the veterinary surgeon must base 

 his hopes of a result favourable to his patient. 



The duties comprised in, and related to hygienic treatment, 

 may be arranged under the three folloTving heads : — 



I. — Dieting. 

 II. — Housing. 

 III. — Clothing the Patient. 



These will be found to include all that is necessary in this 

 department of our treatise. 



I. — Dieting the Patient. — The Dieting of a sick horse 

 is at times a matter of nicety. Two extremes in practice are 

 to be avoided ; that is, neither to give the animal too much, nor 

 too little food. Some people encourage the appetite too eagerly, 

 while others are almost afraid to allow a sick horse to even look 

 at food. During the early stage of the most acute maladies, it 

 is seldom the patient will partake of food. No anxiety need be 



