MEMOTRS OF A VETERINARY SURGEON. 091 
lungs and stomach of the animal; the insensible perspiration 
also contributes organic matter, and the dung and urine add 
still more. All the organic matter from these various sources 
is in a finely divided state,, and highly putrescible. It has 
an intense affinity for oxygen, and consumes it with great 
rapidity, lowering still more the vitalizing power of the air. 
The inspiration of air charged thus with putrescible organic 
matter, is most unwholesome. It acts detrimentally upon 
the blood, by preventing its proper oxygenization, and has a 
tendency to induce inflammatory diseases, especially of the 
lungs. Its first effects are a sluggish circulation, v 7 ith low 
vitality, and a predisposition to epidemics. The agent I 
speak of acts not merely by preventing the active fermenta¬ 
tion of the excreta, but by charging the atmosphere very 
agreeably with a carbolic odour, "which effectually prevents 
the putresence of the organic matter w T ith w r hich the at¬ 
mosphere is charged. 
“The theory of ferments is well known, namebj , how 
readily a body wffiose particles are in motion imparts that 
motion to the particles of another body. It is this tendency 
which the composition of this agent so effectually prevents. 
“I cannot too strongly express my conviction, that in 
addition to the most scrupulous cleanliness, the daily use of 
this agent is the best means of preserving the health and 
working powders of the horse. It does not add oxygen to 
the air, but it prevents its waste; it does not remove organic 
matter from the atmosphere, but it arrests its putrefaction, 
and the evolution of noxious products consequent upon that 
process.” 
The above lucid description I conceive to be full of great 
truth; and, although the use of this disinfectant cannot carry 
us scathless through seasons of pestilence, still I verily be¬ 
lieve that it will be found to have a powerful effect in mode¬ 
rating the intensity of such diseases, and this, I hold, is no 
mean desideratum, especially w 7 hen I remember the extremely 
artificial circumstances by which the horse is surrounded. 
There is likewise more attention paid, in the present day, to 
good and wholesome food, as well as a greater regularity in the 
times and method of feeding. The seasoning of a young horse, 
as well as the importance of exhibiting a gentle purge, and the 
bringing him by degrees to “ town diet” and town w 7 ork, is not 
overlooked. Extra care is also taken of him when he returns 
from work, so as to avoid a chill. When he is brought home 
in a state of perspiration, attention is paid to his being w f ell 
wisped, that his legs and ears are rubbed dry, and, if the 
night is cold, that the w ater he drinks is rendered tepid; he 
