272 avery's own farrier. 



those that have numbers of them drawn to the shades or 

 shambles every year, if by none else. 



1 am about to make some remarks about horses, and 

 disease, that will be well for all to remember that fee) 

 an interest in this important subject. 



1 am not so much in favor of blood-letting, or physic- 

 ing as a great many, but I consider the fleam and lancet 

 much safer in the hands even of the inexperienced, than 

 I do the stimulating drugs and oils commonly used by 

 them, for this reason: the common sized horse contains 

 from twenty to twenty-four quarts of blood on an ave- 

 rage; of which four quarts may be taken without mate- 

 rially injuring him at any time, and in cases of acute 

 inflammation and fever, as of the lungs, &c., one-third of 

 the whole has been taken to advantage; and it requires 

 four-fifths of the whole to be taken to produce death. 

 He is not so liable to suffer from depletion, in this way 

 as he is from physicing, and the eflfects of these poisons 

 (allowing they are carried to excess). For the blood is 

 sooner supplied by nature, than the bowels, stomach and 

 bones can be restored by art to their wonted office and 

 health after being so deranged in all their parts. 



I prefer vegetable medicine to mineral, for most dis- 

 eases — not that I would take the course of some, and 

 call all mineral substances poison, for as deadly poisons 

 are found in the vegetable kingdom as in any other. But 

 because it is cheaper, as almost every person can gather 

 all he needs for himself (without money and without 

 price) and is generally given in teas, drinks and mashes; 

 which are more cooling and soothing to nature, besides 

 this, it is safer in most hands. 



