DISTRIBUTION OF PHIZES. 
599 
sons, in elevating them, in enlarging them, and in giving them 
air ; but they do not attack the cause of the evil, at least not the 
principal one. The mortality will continue in despite of the well 
built stables, and the most unremitting care, and the efforts of 
the most skilful veterinary surgeons, except other causes are taken 
into consideration, and their necessary results, and the enormous 
expense that is frequently incurred. 
The cause of the mortality in cavalry horses may be chiefly 
traced to the following circumstances : — 
The purchase, in the depots, of horses too young, and which 
are sent to the regiment before they have obtained their proper 
growth — the first instruction, which ought to be confided to ex- 
perienced men — the lessons of the recruits, too often repeated — 
the little care which the French cavalry take of their horses — the 
absurd classification of the horses and the soldiers — and, lastly, 
the bad food which is given to them in a great many garrisons. 
10. This memoir has reference to “ the influence which the 
veterinary art exerts on the prosperity of agriculture.” 
After a few observations on the equity of conceding to every 
profession the merit which belongs to it, and observing that the 
services which the veterinary surgeon renders to the agriculturist 
are highly valuable, the author takes a rapid review of agriculture 
and the veterinary art in the time of the Gauls, the Romans, and 
the present French. He observes it, with few exceptions, sub- 
mitting to a nearly uniform system, based, not on a knowledge 
of those natural laws which are most available, but on the usages 
that render the culture of the land most easily manageable. He 
sees the country, with regard to the cultivation and the care of 
cattle, abandoned to many serious wants at the present moment, 
and almost regardless with respect to the future. Hence, to a 
great degree, the frequent epizootics which decimate the domes- 
tic animals in so fearful a manner. 
Passing to a new era — the institution of veterinary schools — 
he shews the professors of these schools approaching nearly to 
the savans of the day — deriving instruction from them — applying 
the knowledge which they have acquired first to the medical 
treatment of these animals, and then to their general improve- 
ment and worth ; for it is impossible not to pass rapidly from 
the one to the other, and particularly in veterinary medicine. It 
exhibits these professors, forced at once thus to study the wants 
of agriculture, and yielding themselves to it with pleasure and dis- 
tributing among other classes of society, and particularly among 
the savans , new notions of this science, so neglected, yet present- 
ing so many problems of the highest importance to resolve. 
