180 ON FRAGILITY OF THE BONKS IN CATTLE. 
An attentive examination of the progress of this disease has con- 
vinced me that the present treatment and nursing of cattle in so 
careful and artificial a manner is not suitable to the nature of the 
animal. It is an incontestible fact, that these animals fare better 
when suffered to roam in the open air and find their own nutriment, 
even though it be scanty, than when shut up in damp ill- ventilated 
stables, and over-crammed with artificial food. A sufficient proof of 
this opinion is, that draught oxen that after their work are turned out 
into the fields during the greater part of the year, where they enjoy 
pure air, exercise, and natural food while it is to be had, and hay, 
straw, and oats at other times, are totally exempt from this disease. 
The same may be observed with regard to draught cows, which 
are used during a part of the year in agricultural work, and are then 
treated in the same manner as the oxen. They are never attacked 
by this disease; while the milch cow, who is scarcely ever per- 
mitted to go out of her stall, and is denied fresh air and exercise, 
and fed on soft and artificial food, is most subject to this disease, 
and indeed the only animal that is subject to it. Believing, as I 
do, this unnatural confinement and artificial mode of feeding to be 
the real cause of this disease, I should recommend, as means of pre- 
vention, if not of cure, to all owners of cattle, 
1. That they shall give up all their present cow-houses. 
2. That they shall take care that the animals have pure air, and 
are kept clean. 
3. That they shall build new cow-houses in different places, 
and see that they are well ventilated. 
4. That they shall take care that the cows are let out every day 
when it is possible, either to water or to exercise ; and that at the 
proper time of year they are driven to good clover or meadow 
land. 
5. That they shall be differently fed, and dry nourishing fodder 
given, and not that which relaxes the stomach and bowels. 
On the same Disease. 
By Dr. SAMESREUTHER, of Worrstadt. 
In Nos. 16 and 17 of the Agricultural Journal of the Grand 
Duchy of Hessia, for the year 1837, we find a contribution from the 
above gentleman “ On Brittleness of the Bones in Cattle, prevalent 
in Hessia.” 
This disease, which has been more or less prevalent for several 
years, and which still exists to a very great extent, and is the cause 
of serious loss to agriculturists and farmers, consists in general loss 
of condition, and loss of milk. 
