EDITORIAL OBSERVATIONS. 227 
description of proceeding may, through your courtesy, be made of interest 
to the public. 
“ My conviction is that all horses can be temporarily subdued ; but I find 
that some require a much longer time for that purpose than others, and 
that the operator must possess a commanding self-possession and energy 
of will. 
“ I do not believe in the eradication of what is undeniably vice. The 
vicious horse can be quieted even so as to be entirely under con- 
trol; but after the influence of the operator has been removed, and the 
effect of his operation has subsided, he will resume his constitutional 
tendencies. 
“ With nervous horses the case is altogether different. Repeated opera- 
tion acts upon them as a kind of education and training ; they become 
habitually quiet. Tor instance, a bay gelding was bought in the country 
by a London dealer for a large sum ; but, on his arrival in town, it was 
found to be dangerous to wash his feet or to shoe him, and of course he 
could not be disposed of, although repeatedly offered for sale. I purchased 
him, aud have made him so quiet that any one may take up his feet. Again, 
a brown mare, the property of Colonel T., to whom I had communicated my 
mode of treatment, had a “ trick” of kicking when her clothing was being 
removed, and is now entirely free from the habit. Where it is dangerous 
or inconvenient to put a bridle upon a horse, or to shoe him, or to tie him 
up, or to get him quietly into a railway box, or in any such difficulties, 
which are more the results of nervousness than vice, the animal may be 
reduced to a willing submission. 
“ To operate with success it is necessary to be alone with the horse in a 
confined space, and to take care that there is nothing to divert the animal’s 
attention. 
“ The articles required are oil of cumin, horse-castor, or the warty excres- 
cence from the horse’s leg, and oil of rhodium. 
“The plant from the seed of which oil of cumin is extracted is a native of 
Ethiopia, and is extensively cultivated in Sicily and Malta. It was more 
used in ancient times than at present. Mention is made of it in the Sacred 
and other ancient records. It is of an orange colour. 
“ The horse-castor is easily pulled off, and must be grated fine. It has a 
peculiar, rank, musty smell, the ammoniacal effluvium of which seems to be 
very acceptable to the horse. 
“Tor oil of rhodium he has, however, a remarkable fondness. This is 
extracted from a wood which is brought from the Canary Islands, and is 
usually sold as a perfume. It is retailed at Id. per drop. 
“ The modus operandi is : Rub one or two drops of oil of cumin over your 
hands, and pass your hands over his nostril, so that he inhales it. This must 
be continued until you get his entire attention. Then put a little of the 
castor (about the quantity of a good pinch of snuff) on a lump of sugar, 
and if the horse will not eat it from your hand, put it into his mouth. 
Take eight drops of oil of rhodium in a little bottle or thimble, or any con- 
venient thing, and pour it into his mouth. Usually this, with kind and 
gentle treatment, makes him become ‘ your obedient servant,’ and he will 
follow you about and permit you to take any liberty with him. In extreme 
cases the process may have to be repeated before you acquire the desired 
influence over him. 
“ If you are so inclined, this operation may be repeated four or five times 
a day; but, above all things, the utmost care must be taken to avoid 
hurting him. 
