DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE ORGANS. 175 



The larva of this species may be obtained from almost any horse 

 that has been much the preceding year at grass, and exposed to 

 these flies, and will be found, during the summer months, sticking 

 more or less within the verge or opening of the anus, adhering to 

 its soft lining, and producing considerable irritation and uneasiness. 

 Indeed, I once well remember being on a tour of pleasure in the 

 Isle of Wight, and experiencing much annoyance from these 

 larva. The little horse I had hired for the journey became so 

 lazy and unwilling to go on, and moved so awkwardly, that I 

 could not keep pace with my company, and I was at a loss how 

 to proceed ; but, on casually taking up the tail, I discovered three 

 or four of these insects hanging to the rectum, and their removal 

 instantly proved a cure." 



It is very likely that the fundamental or hemorrhoidal bot 

 does produce some irritation within the rectum, but not more so 

 than the ascaris, or the filaria, which inhabit the intestines, in- 

 cluding the rectum, of both man and horse. Taking a rational 

 and scientific view of this subject, the author is inclined to believe 

 that all parasites infesting the bodies (or living citadels) of the su- 

 perior orders of creation are only, in their essence, so many modes 

 of death, more or less sudden or gradual, as the case may be, or 

 as the exigencies of Nature require. In some cases it is supposed 

 to be a beneficent provision that some horses, as well as men, 

 should have a gradual exit out of life, when, by virtue of their 

 constitution, they inherited no long lease of it. The parasites 

 here alluded to, and others not mentioned, may be classed as so 

 many diseases, which never prove mortal unless the individual's 

 lease of life has expired, and then, as before remarked, he has no 

 tenure on longevity. In taking this view of the subject, the 

 reader will, of course, infer that all extraneous or accidental causes 

 of death are excluded. 



Disease, which probably includes the presence of ail parasites, 

 in the bodies of men and animals, may be considered as the trials 

 of pilgrimage life, and, therefore, may be classed as the check- 

 mates to Nature. In order to play the game of life so as not to 

 get checkmated, we must understand the law of rational physiol- 

 ogy, and use our intelligence accordingly, to preserve health. In 

 the ordinary acceptation of the term disease, it does not mean 

 much of any thing; for it does not express the manner in which 

 the animal is affected. It simply means that he is sick, from 



