KNBS, ' FBTtOCK, ANKLB, AND FOOT. 209 



are so prevalent and often cannot be remedied, that what is but general 

 work in one instance may incite disease in another, that what is food 

 to-day may to-morrow prove detrimental to health, and that necessary 

 medical interference may cause a more serious trouble than that which 

 was being treated, the troubles to overcome are plain. Yet there are 

 some general rules to be observed that will in part serve to prevent the 

 development of an unusual number of cases. In the first place all the 

 predisposing causes named must be removed where possible, and when 

 this is impossible unusual care must be taken not to bring into operation 

 an exciting cause. Fat animals should, under no circumstances, have 

 hard work, and if the weather is warm or the variation of temperature 

 great they should have but slow, gentle labor until thej' become used to 

 it, and the tissues hardened. 



Green horses should always have moderate work for the same reason, 

 and particularly when changed from the farm and dirt roads to city 

 pavements. The increased jarring, changed conditions and artificial 

 living, will be active causes of disease under such circumstances. Army 

 horses just out of winter quarters, track horses with insufficient prepar- 

 ation, and farmers' horses put to work in the spring, are among the 

 most susceptible classes, and must be protected by work that is easy and 

 gradual. If long marches or drives can not be avoided then the load 

 must be as light as possible and the animal must have frequent rests. 

 This allows the laminae to regain their impaired activity and thus will 

 withstand much more, work without danger. And then it permits the 

 driver to easily detect an oncoming attack; it thus prevents working 

 after the disease begins and renders treatment much more effective by 

 cutting the process short at the stage of congestion. 



All animals when resting immediately after work should be protected 

 from cold air or draughts. If placed in a stable that is warm and with- 

 out draught no covering is necessary; if cold, or if there is a draught 

 blankets should be used until the excitement and exhaustion of the labor 

 performed have entirely passed away. It is still better that all animals 

 coming in warm from work be ' 'cooled off' ' by slow walking until the 

 sweat has dried and the circulation and breathing returned to the nor- 

 mal. Animals stopped on the road even for a few moments should 

 always be protected from rapid change of temperature by blankets. If 

 it can be avoided horses that are working should never be driven or 

 ridden through a stream or pool of water. Where necessary they should 

 be cooled off before passing through, and then kept exercising until com- 



