122 CONGESTION IN THE FIELD. 
way. Voice, whip, and spur by turns urge the animal onward, but it has 
been taken suddenly from its uses; the horse thinks not of that, it only 
seeks to gratify the being who for a time has become its ruler. To his 
amusement it devotes itself, and obedient to this idea, it runs, or en- 
deavors to run, till its limbs are with difficulty lifted from the ground; 
it reels, it falls, and the would-be huntsman stands over a prostrate 
steed. 
The horse has congestion of the lungs. Yes; but what caused it? 
Over-exertion, accompanied by a consequent absence of nervous energy. 
The sensibility of the larynx, feeling the exhaustion before the body 
appreciated it, inclined inward; they prevented the atmosphere from 
oxygenating the blood. Deficient oxygen causes the frame, spite of 
violent exertion, to feel clammy cold. The brain being supplied with 
impure blood, produces temporary insensibility. Vitality seems to be 
contesting with death. 
Now, were a fleam, and some one who understood how to use it, at 
hand, venesection might do good; neither are to be found ; the animal 
after some time rises, and with difficulty is led to shelter. Country 
opinions always incline to stimulants; gin and pepper is, in all rural 
districts, a potent horse physic. A dose is administered; the horse 
seems to amend; another and another jorum is poured down the animal’s 
throat. After the third potion it is clear to all the horse is becoming 
worse. Bloody water is soon blown from the nostrils; partial sweats 
break forth; the eye assumes a gray appearance ; all at once the depart- 
ing life appears to rally; the animal seems to walk with a firmer step; 
but just as this fact has been observed, it falls, and almost without a 
struggle expires. 
Such is a lamentable instance of the general ignorance which prevails 
concerning horses. Firmly as nature may have united man and horse, 
gentility would dissever them; it is not polite in society to speak of 
man’s most patient companion and most faithful slave. Gentility con- 
descends to use animals, but loves to prate only of frivolity. The educa- 
tion of the young, which should be directed by the conversation of the 
matured, is thus neglected ; boys, London boys especially, regard the 
stable as a place to be avoided ; they view horses, not as the gentlest of 
created beings, but as creatures it were a breach of good manners to 
speak of “before ladies.” They learn to consider these animals and all 
that concerns them, as subjects to be forgotten the instant “ society is 
entered.” From the ignorance thus fostered, and from the fashion which 
prefers to talk about trifles to conversing of those matters which consti- 
tute the facts of reality and involve the instruction of the youthful, springs 
that mishap which has been described as congestion of the lungs. 
