1 8 VETERINARY HOMCEOPATHY. 



grooms too often fail to recognize the importance of providing 

 against this natural difficulty; indeed, there is no doubt in the 

 author's mind that among race horses described as non-stayers, or 

 that make a noise (roarers, whistlers, etc.), the cause in the 

 majority of cases is to be traced to stable surroundings; the tem- 

 perature of the building should not exceed 55° F., good food, 

 clothing and exercise will do all else that is required to keep a 

 horse warm and comfortable; in conclusion it need hardlj'be added 

 that cleanliness is a sine-qua-non for the horse, as for the man, 

 and that all excrementitious material, whether solid or fluid, should 

 be swept up and removed with as much expedition as possible 

 from the confines of the building; it is astonishing how rapidly 

 putrefactive changes take place in a horse's excrement if allowed 

 to accumulate, and specially does this apply to the urine, and when 

 the process is established the gases are quickly diffused over the 

 building and the otherwise pure air is loaded with foul exhala- 

 tions which breathed in through the lungs speedily gain access to 

 the blood and bring on low fevers of an insidious type; indeed, 

 they are more insidious and deeply reaching in their effects upon 

 the animal constitution than is generally recognized and render 

 the system less able to combat those forms of disease which by 

 their distinctive manifestations have more importance attributed to 

 them; many a horse may be the subject of these low types of fever 

 without showing any very precise symptoms or even appearing 

 seriously ill, and while ready to respond to the call of tlie whip 

 or the spur is quite unable to realize the fond hopes of his owner 

 and trainer by winning a race or a match; but in the majority of 

 instances the condition which is responsible for such failures may be 

 avoided by observing the precautions in stable management herein 

 indicated, and this applies with no less force to horses of all breeds 

 and classes so far as general utility is concerned. 



The subjects which include forage, grooming, exercise and 

 stable management generally, might fairly be included under the 

 head of. " Hygiene,'" but as it is desirable not to lengthen out 

 this division of the work inordinately, and every horseman is. 

 supposed to understand these matters and to appreciate their value 

 and importance more than the great majority appears to do that 

 affecting the buildings, no attempt will be made to treat of same 

 except to give a warning note about the water; this has such a. 



