768 
PROFESSOR MORTON’S 
causes, and pointing out the proper remedies ? I will illustrate 
this by a reference to a few instances of recent occurrence. In 
one of the French veterinary periodicals appeared an account of 
several lambs having died on a farm, the cause of which was very 
obscure. A veterinary surgeon being sent for, he carefully in- 
spected the sheep-house, and found that the walls were covered 
with moisture in the form of little drops, which, mixing with the 
earthy particles, formed crystals. He also perceived that the 
lambs were continually licking the walls, and he was at once led 
to suspect the cause of the malady. He therefore proceeded to 
examine the nature of the crystals, and, applying the ordinary 
tests, found them to he nitrate of potash. The formation of the 
salt may be thus explained. The air, charged with animal exha- 
lations, was absorbed by the moisture, and became mixed with the 
calcareous matter of the walls, and thus the sheep-cote became 
a miniature nitre-bed. 
The suspicions of the medical attendant were completely con- 
firmed by an analysis of the contents of the stomachs after death ; 
from which, by the processes of dilution, filtration, and crystal- 
lization, he obtained nitre in a crystalline form. 
Now, suppose that this person had known nothing of the science 
of chemistry, would he have endeavoured to investigate the cause 
of disease in the manner which he did ? Or, had chance pointed 
out to him the probable cause, would he have been enabled to 
demonstrate it? or, knowing it, how would he have set about 
counteracting the effects? By chemical analysis we ascertain 
what provender is best for the animals placed under our care, 
whether in health or disease ; and possibly we have hence a clue 
to the method by which disease is sometimes engendered. 
When a horse has been kept for a long time in a marshy 
district, it is no uncommon thing for him to become affected with 
oedema, either general or local. This is frequently preceded by a 
debilitated state of the system, and diuresis has been known to 
exist. Now, is it too much to look for the cause of this in the 
saline particles imbibed by the vegetables on which he has been 
feeding? 
Again ; inflammation of the kidneys is said to be frequently 
brought about by freely partaking of mow-burnt hay. We may 
explain this, I think, by a reference to the laws of chemistry. In 
such hay there is a great development of the saccharine princi- 
ple, while, at the same time, its structure is weakened or broken 
down from the change which has taken place. We may say of it 
that the vinous fermentation has been set up, and all that is now 
required is the presence of heat and moisture, to cause it to run 
into the second stage of fermentation, the acetous . Now, suppose 
