250 
THE ART OF REARING 
Chapter XII. 
OF THE DISEASES INCIDENT TO THE SILK-WORMS 
IN THEIR DIFFERENT AGES, OF THE CAUSES 
PRODUCING THESE, AND OF THE MEANS OF 
PREVENTING THEM. 
It was in conformity to the wants and intelligence 
of man, to create a medical system for himself, to 
apply unto himself its principles and its remedies. 
It was also natural that he should create another 
system applicable to the animals domesticated under 
him, to which he is indebted for much of his well- 
being. 
The silk-worm being a robust animal by nature, 
the simplicity of its organization, although it lasts 
but few days, and managed by the care of man, it 
would appear impossible that there should have 
been written hundreds of works upon the subject 
of its diseases. 
From what I observed, his experiments, conducted with 
great acuteness, upon the cultivation of the mulberry, will in 
a few years offer tbe most satisfactory results; if, as he led me 
to hope, he means to publish a work on the subject, I shall offer 
a translation of it. 
I have thought it best to leave this note which appeared in 
the first edition, although death having arrested the honour- 
able and useful career of this estimable man has prevented the 
completion of that work which would have added to the be- 
nefits he had already bestowed on the public . — French 
Translator. 
