38 HORSES: 



In fact, the various phases of this disorder — I may 

 say, indeed, a very large range of " diseases " — are 

 the product of (i) errors in diet as to (a) time, (6) fre- 

 quency, (c) and amount— causing indigestion, and, 

 consequently and unavoidably, a greater or less de- 

 gree of actual blood-poisoning. (2) Lack of fresh air 

 and light in the stable. These errors corrected, ab- 

 solutely, and in a thousand cases there will be no 

 " colds " or other internal disorders year in and year 

 out. 



It would naturally follow that thorough ventilation 

 (guarding against direct draughts), a temporary and 

 absolute fast until convalescence is thoroughly estab- 

 lished, followed by an abstemious diet, would be the 

 natural cure for influenza ; and so in practice I have 

 found it in every instance in the case of animals of 

 whatever kind, including man. This treatment is 

 successful where all others are unsatisfactory and 

 often fatal, and in every instance will afford an im- 

 mense saving in time and vitality; saving life where 

 cure is possible. 



The facts prove that influenza or any form of so- 

 called "cold " is a fever, pure and simple. However 

 chilly the patient may feel, the thermometer placed 

 under the tongue or in the rectum shows at once 

 that the temperature is above the normal point; 

 and in all cases of feverishness there is disturbance 

 of the alimentary organs — whether evident or not to 

 the casual observer, and rest from all digestive labor 

 is the proper " tonic." It is a great piece of folly to 

 encourage eating in the absence of appetite ; it is 



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