ON THE CAUSES OF DISEASE. 81 
be selected from among the best recruits; indeed, it is not im- 
probable that the advantages of such an institution would induce 
excellent men to enlist for the purpose of availing themselves of 
its benefits. Should such be found to be the results, it would be 
well to require them to enlist for longer than the usual time, as a 
compensation for the time spent at school.” Cavalry officers, 
farriers, or blacksmiths should be permitted to attend lectures on 
anatomy, physiology, and the obvious diseases and lameness of 
horses. 
In cases of emergency, a competent veterinarian should be 
employed in each regiment, whose duty it should be to select an 
intelligent farrier from each company, and instruct such person, 
in a brief and practical manner, on the management of cavalry 
horses in camps, the prevention of diseases, and the most rational] 
methed of treating diseases incidental to camp life. 
Should it be found impossible to secure the services of a suf- 
ficient nmaber of competent veterinarians for the above purpose, 
let those who have shown themselves qualified, by an examination 
before a medical board, march from camp to camp, give instruc- 
tions, sce that the sick and disabled are separated from healthy 
animals, and that the former be placed in a covered hospital, and 
then issue special regulations for the use of mounted troops in 
garrison und in the field, for the purpose of guarding against the 
consequences of ignorance and abuse of the animal machine. 
It would be advisable to establish a veterinary professorship at 
West Point, and there locate the National School. The Govern- 
ment has there a very fine French model of the horse, a skeleton, 
and various preparations of morbid anatomy, etc., which, together 
with other material available, will furnish al! that is necessary 
for the purposes of veterinary tuition. It would also be advis- 
able for the Chief Veterinary Surgeon to issue to his subordinates 
such orders as shall secure proper sanitary regulations in camp. 
The horses should be as well cared for as the troops, for in cav- 
alry and artillery service, the success of a campaign, or attack 
and defense, depends much on the health and efficiency of horses. 
It should be the business of some members of the veterinary 
vorps to station themselves at accessible points, and there erect 
temporary hospitals for the reception of sick and lame horses, 
where the latter shall receive the benefits of a rational system of 
medication and nursing, whereby, in their restoration to useful- 
