£38 
THE CABINET OF NATURAL HISTORY 
these opinions were correct, to remove this destructive pro- 
pensity, recourse must necessarily be had to the Materia 
Medica, and the animal should be treated according to the 
rules of veterinary science. That these judgments must be 
erroneous, I prove clearly by the system I have established, 
which enables me to eradicate crib-biting and wind-sucking 
without the aid of medicine. 
My attention, as I have before stated, has been directed 
to the prevention and cure of this destructive malady during 
a long period; and although I may dissent from many very 
respectable authorities, I must remark, that, during the 
whole course of my experience, I have uniformly observed 
that a crib-biter (as well as wind-sucker) inhales air into 
the stomach, which, from its construction, he cannot exhale 
or degurgitate; for horses, unlike dogs and many other ani- 
mals, can neither belch nor vomit, consequently in its pro- 
gress through the stomach and bowels, the oxygen, or elas- 
tic property of the air, is taken up by the system, which 
causes a redundancy of fixed air in the abdominal parts — 
hence arises flatulency, which of course produces indiges- 
tion, general debility, and an impaired stamina; and these 
alarming effects, if not attended to and removed, must na- 
turally lead to disorders of dangerous tendencies. 
To broach an opinion of this import is, I know, in oppo- 
sition to the sentiments entertained by many hippologists; 
and that I may be clearly understood by every reader, I 
have purposely avoided the use of scientific words or tech- 
nical phraseology, and expressed my meaning in plain un- 
assuming language. 
Others, however, of acknowledged skill and ability in 
their profession have lately had the liberality to confess, 
that, on mature consideration of the subject, they considered 
I was correct, and encouraged me to proceed in my course. 
With much labour, patience, and perseverance, I aimed 
at the discovery of the proximate cause of crib-biting. 
My studies have been practical, for I could meet with no 
satisfactory information in books. I made experiments of 
various kinds, repeated and improved them, and thus ap- 
proached nearer to my object, till at length I had the plea- 
sure of perceiving that I was in the right track. 
That the crib-biter inhales more air into the stomach than 
he can exhale, I am convinced; and on that conviction have 
founded my system for the treatment of the malady; the ap- 
plication of which I may assert without presumption, cannot 
fail of success, if attended to with sincerity and good will 
on the part of grooms and other stable domectics. 
A crib-biter of any standing becomes soured in temper; 
his natural strength soon gives way; weakness more or less 
ensues; and he is rendered unfit for a proper day’s work: 
yet horses labouring under the effects of this propensity are 
expected by their proprietors to. perform the most violent 
exertions, and the fleetest and most rapid efforts are requir- 
ed of them! Hunting, racing, in short every duty is im- 
posed indiscriminately with sound animals, till the poor 
beast sinks prematurely under his accumulated misery, and 
is thus rendered unserviceable many years before his natu- 
ral term. Under kind and judicious treatment, the horse 
would be much4onger lived than is generally supposed, as 
existing facts testify. 
Various remedies, purporting to be infallible, for vicious 
horses have of late years been put forth to the world, but 
nothing has in reality been gained by them. I allude to tor- 
turing straps, bands, and other vexatious applications, which 
only tend to sour the disposition of the animal, and on their 
removal leave him more inveterately addicted to his evil 
habits. Others, from want of a better remedy, have re- 
course to loathsome and nauseous experiments, which are as 
futile as they are disgusting, and cannot possibly be expect- 
ed to produce any permanently good effects; for as the mat- 
ter or ordure employed dries and hardens, it naturally loses 
its effluvia, and consequently requires repetition to make the 
process adopted effectual, even if it were proper to pursue it. 
An accumulation of filth on the manger is the result; and 
we all know that that utensil should be kept particularly 
clean. I have no patience when I reflect on such proceed- 
ings. It is obvious to any one conversant with horses, that 
a filthy stable is the forerunner of disease. The only conse- 
quence emanating from conduct so inconsiderately ignorant 
is, that the silly attendant, for his own convenience, is soon 
compelled to remove the dirt, gaining nothing but addition- 
al labour for his assumed sagacity. 
He who pretends to correct the horse, by inventing appa- 
ratus with that view, should previously study the nature and 
character of the animal, in addition to the contemplation of 
his own emolument. To exemplify this observation, let us 
consider for a moment the fate of the straps with the spring 
and spikes. They were introduced under the protection of 
weighty patronage; and all that influence could do was 
adopted to facilitate their reception in the highest quarters, 
and render their adoption general. They were predomi- 
nant for a time, and were probably esteemed by persons 
unacquainted with the matter, who received the ipse dixit 
of others as truth “ sacred as Holy Writ;” and accordingly 
the straps were considered and recommended by many per- 
sons as a certain cure for crib-biters. However, when es- 
sayed by those whose knowledge and intelligence could 
be relied on, it was discovered that they could never fulfil 
the object promised to purchasers, and not the most distant 
prospect.of efficacy could be entertained. Their application 
only served to alarm, irritate, and tease the horse, without 
producing any beneficial effects; and on their removal, he 
was generally found as inveterately addicted to his propen- 
