Chap. IV. ^tfcoverivg fume Error s^^z, ii 

 CHAP. IV. 



Difcovering fome Errors in the Methods nfually taken 

 to prevent Dijeafes in Horfes, with the properefi 

 Means to preferve Health. 



'^jOthing is more frequent among Farri- Thyjtck ume- 

 -^^ ers, than the adminiftring Phyfick to cefary to Hor- 

 Horfes that are found and healthful, in or- >- '^"^''^^ ^'''y 

 der to prevent their falling into Difeafes ; '"'^ '" ^'''^^''' 

 with this Notion mofh People, as well as 

 they, have been prepoflefs'd, infomuch that they have tied 

 themfelves up to Times and Seafons, believing a Horfe 

 can never keep found, if he is not bled at this Time, purg'd 

 at that, and at another Time rowell'd ; fome have Cordial 

 Balls ^ or Drinks, which they keep as Secrets, and which 

 they affirm will prevent all Manner of Infection and Sick- 

 refs. But I ihall endeavour to fliew what manifelt Abufe 

 there is in all thofe Things, and lay down fome General 

 Relics which may truly be of Service to the Prefervation of 

 Health. 



Tho' Health, in its beft Ellate, is only relative, yet all 

 Creatures may be properly faid to be in Health, when they 

 fleep, eat, and digeft, when they move without Pain; and 

 ifil this depends upon a regular and uniform Motion of the 

 Blood ; now whatever contributes to keep up that uniform 

 and regular Motion, muft be the Means to preferve Health ; 

 but it is very certain, the Means that are ufed in Time of 

 Sicknefs, to reft ore that Regularity in the Blood's Motion, 

 muft be prejudicial in a State of Health, becaufe they 

 mult eftedi fome Change in the Animal Oeconomy, which 

 was not wanting. Thus Blecditig and Purging may be of 

 Ufe to put a Check to a Difeafe, if a Horfe be plcthorick 

 and full of Blood, or if a Horfe has any other Signs that 

 require Evacuation ; but then it is to be confidered, that 

 thefe are Difeafes aflually begun ; and if a Horfe has none 

 of thefe Signs, the Effedi that any fuch Evacuations can 

 have upon him, muft be a Leflening the Qiiantity of his 

 Blood, which is often of bad Confcquence; becaufe the 

 I.elTening the Qiiantity of the Blood, gives it a difierent 

 JMotion from what it had before. 



If 



