ON THE CAUSES OF DISEASE. 31 



be selected from among the best recruits ; indeed, it is not im- 

 probable that the advantages of such an institution would induce 

 excellent men to enlist for the purpose of availing themselves of 

 its benefits. Should such be found to be the results, it would be 

 well to require them to enlist for longer than the usual time, as a 

 compensation for the time spent at school/' Cavalry officers,, 

 farriers, or blacksmiths should be permitted to attend lectures on 

 anatomy, physiology, and the obvious diseases and lameness of 

 horses. 



In cases of emergency, a competent veterinarian should be 

 employed, in each regiment, whose duty it should be to select an 

 intelligent farrier from each company, and instruct such person, 

 in a brief and practical manner, on the management of cavalry 

 horses in camps, the prevention of diseases, and the most rational 

 method of treating diseases incidental to camp life. 



Should it be found impossible to secure the services of a suf- 

 ficient number of competent veterinarians for the above purpose, 

 let those who have shown themselves qualified, by an examination 

 before a medical board, march from camp to camp, give instruc- 

 tions, see that the sick and disabled are separated from healthy 

 animals, and that the former be placed in a covered hospital, and 

 then issue special regulations for the use of mounted troops in 

 garrison and in the field, for the purpose of guarding against the 

 consequences of ignorance and abuse of the animal machine. 



It would be advisable to establish a veterinary professorship at 

 West Point, and there locate the National School. The Govern- 

 ment has there a very fine French model of the horse, a skeleton, 

 and various preparations of morbid anatomy, etc., which, together 

 with other material available, will furnish all that is necessary 

 for the purposes of veterinary tuition. It would also be advis- 

 able for the Chief Veterinary Surgeon to issue to his subordinates 

 such orders as shall secure proper sanitary regulations in camp. 

 The horses should be as well cared for as the troops, for in cav- 

 alry and artillery service, the success of a campaign, or attack 

 and defense, depends much on the health and efficiency of horses. 

 It should be the business of some members of the veterinary 

 corps to station themselves at accessible points, and there erect 

 temporary hospitals for the reception of sick and lame horses, 

 where the latter shall receive the benefits of a rational system of 

 medication and nursing, whereby, in their restoration to usefal- 



