VETERINARY SKETCHES. 
101 
ference, had committed annually most extensive ravages, became 
nearly, or quite, erased from the government returns of the dis- 
eases with which the military horses in this country are usually 
affected.” — p. 192. 
“ I have heard (says he) a cavalry officer mention a circumstance 
most illustrative of the beneficial effects of Mr. Coleman’s views 
respecting ventilation. A stable in which many horses had died 
in rapid succession, although it had undergone the usual disci- 
pline of cleansing and whitewashing, was reported to Mr. Coleman 
as having some undiscoverable evil, probably arising from its situ- 
ation. Mr. Coleman accordingly examined it, and, having ascer- 
tained that its defects arose from a malconstruction by which all 
proper ventilation was prevented, recommended Government im- 
mediately to make certain alterations, by means of which this 
would be remedied. This recommendation at first met with con- 
siderable opposition on account of the expense involved in the 
proposed improvements. His plan, however, was afterwards 
adopted; and it is a curious fact, that in the first year the expenses 
of government were repaid by the saving, in consequence of the 
entire absence of disease among the horses.” Mr. Bransby Cooper 
adds, “ I had the gratification of knowing Mr. Coleman intimately 
for many years. It was impossible not to love one so agreeable, 
kind-hearted, and replete with all those amiable qualities that 
endear man to man, and stamped him at once as a most fitting 
and congenial associate for my uncle, who was himself no less 
distinguished than his friend for the possession of similar traits of 
character.” 
“ Mr. Coleman maintained some rather original ideas with respect 
to the causes of the phenomena usually attending catarrh, or what 
is commonly called a cold. He believed that it much more fre- 
quently originated from residing in heated and crowded rooms, 
and therefore inhaling an impure atmosphere, than from exposure 
to cold, draughts of air, or the other causes to which the symptoms 
are ordinarily attributed. He used to illustrate this opinion by 
referring to the example of the horse when labouring under the 
same complaint. ‘ Why,’ he used to say, * who ever heard of a 
horse taking cold when turned out! but, on the contrary, every 
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