REMEDIES FOR DISEASES. 501 



FOOD MEDICINES. 



Stock-feeders have not studied sufficiently the effect of 

 foods upon animal ailments. The condition of the system 

 can be completely controlled by food. There are laxative 

 foods and constipating foods and food with other remedial 

 qualities. A laxative food is anti-febrile ; in fact, a proper 

 understanding of the management of laxative food will 

 prevent diseases. Fevers often arise from a too free and 

 long use of a constipating food. 



A close observer can tell at once what variation in food 

 may be required to establish a healthy condition in a horse; 

 that is, in horses constantly under his eye. But he must 

 have studied the effect of foods and rely upon them, instead 

 of the medical vocabulary. A horse should never be al- 

 lowed to get into a condition in which food will not recover 

 him. Flax-seed is, perhaps, the most convenient laxative 

 food. Boiled flax-seed will take effect quite rapidly, and 

 no veterinarian will say that this laxative is not milder, and 

 to be preferred, where it will operate, to a medical laxative. 

 Peas are slightly constipating, beans more so, finished 

 middlings a little binding, and an occasional half pint of 

 boiled flax-seed mixed in will keep the proper balance. 



