AIE 45 



which render an animal more susceptible of microbic 

 infection, and there are others which establish a degree of 

 resistance. 



The vitiated air of stables reduces the resistance of the 

 body and renders it more prone to infection, and this is the 

 explanation of the triumphs of sanitary science in connec- 

 tion with the ventilation of stables and increased cubic 

 space. Foul air and overcrowding are the prime factors in 

 the production of disease, or as Parkes expressed it many 

 years ago, ' disease and health are in the direct proportion 

 of foul and pure air.' 



The introduction of a system of ventilation into army 

 stables by Coleman, saved the country hundreds of horses 

 and thousands of pounds. The facts are chronicled by Sir 

 Astley Cooper,* who was most enthusiastic over the mag- 

 nificent work carried out in the army by Coleman. 



Nor were troubles among horses confined to the British 

 forces, most if not all Continental armies at that time were 

 similarly affected, but with one exception the records of the 

 period are not available for study. The exception is France, 

 who has published for years veterinary statistics of her 

 army, and was able to compare her losses before the 

 introduction of sanitary science, with those which occurred 

 after a Commission of Military Veterinary Hygiene had 

 pointed out where the errors lay, and how they could be 

 avoided. 



These statistical results have been rendered available 

 through the labours of Dr. Balfour, F.E.S.t Prior to the 

 year 1836, the French Cavalry lost from 180 to 197 per 

 thousand per annum. An increase in the air space 

 reduced the mortality during the next ten years to 68 per 

 thousand, and at the present day it is 24 per thousand. 

 With a reduction in deaths there was even a still larger 

 reduction in admissions. 



The following table shows the admissions for glanders 



* ' Life of Sir A. Cooper,' by Bransby Cooper. 



t 'The Vital Statistics of Cavalry Horses': Journal of the 

 Statistical Society, June, 1880. 



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