INTRODUCTION. 13 



Breathing. 



A good-sized, healthy horse, will take one inspiration to 

 three of the pulse beats. When the breathing is more 

 frequent or slower, and when irregular, or difficult and la- 

 borious, there is then disease ; although w^e sometimes see 

 the breathing quickened and short, when no disease is 

 present. Both the pulse and the breathing will be quick- 

 ened by exposure to heat, as in a stable up stairs, and 

 exposed to an August sun. By removing the animal to 

 a stable not so situated, the breathing and the pulse will 

 be greatly lessened. Hence the advantage of placing 

 animals in a cool and airy place when they are unwell. 

 It saves a great waste of their strength and vitality, 

 thereby enabling them to throw off the effects of disease. 



Treatment of Disease. 



The antiphlogistic plan of treating disease was derived 

 from a theory now entirely exploded, and almost forgot- 

 ten. Repeated bleedings, blistering, physicking, and 

 starving on low diet, are some of the measures entering 

 into the general plan which has destroyed more life and 

 property than all the wars, ancient or modern. 



Bleeding, in domestic practice, is almost discarded, and 

 in veterinary practice it should never have been employed. 

 And if this fact shall be the means of opening the eyes 

 of those interested (and who is not ?) in the health of the 

 animals supplying us with meat, and the horse, (a willing 

 and a faithful help,) to the injury done by bleeding in 

 health or disease, I shall be well rewarded. Avoid these 

 measures, and substitute a rational and successful system 

 of treating the diseases of your animals. Ascertain whe- 



