REVIEW. 
719 
that physic cures disease , so long’ will those who practise the healing art 
refrain from the study of hygiene, and of the healing power of the vital 
force ; both of which are to be considered as holding an inseparable 
relation to each other. 
“ The only power which cures disease is the vital power ; and the 
utmost which medicine can do,—and I at once admit that it is a great 
deal,—is, by its action, to so influence the curative power, or in other 
words, so direct or control it, as to place the part diseased under the 
most favorable conditions inservient to recovery. Until veterinary 
surgeons acquire a correct knowledge as to what is the real curative 
power in disease, and treat their patients in accordance with such 
knowledge, it is hopeless to expect a more rational system of therapeutics 
than what at present prevails. 
“ The relation which hygiene holds to the vital power, is too obvious 
to require explanation. Hygienic treatment, is simply food treatment. 
Unless food of a proper kind, and in proper quantities, be supplied to 
the organism, it is a fact known to every one that the vital force will 
speedily cease to act. 
“ During the existence of acute disease, hygiene can only be regarded 
as holding a subordinate position with respect to any direct influence 
which it may exert upon the curative power of the organism ; but when 
recovery becomes fairly established, or where the animal is debilitated, 
or threatened with disease, no matter from what causes, it is to all 
intents and purposes the principal ground upon which the veterinary 
surgeon must base his hopes of a result favorable to his patient. 
“ The duties comprised in, and related to hygienic treatment may be 
arranged under the three following heads : 
“ I.—Housing. 
“ II.—Dieting. 
“III.—Clothing the Patient. 
“These will be found to include all that is necessary in this department 
of our treatise.” 
These heads being severally dwelt upon, we are brought 
to the second part of the work, which treats of the diseases 
of the horse, and on certain generalities in connexion with 
their treatment. 
In looking over this, while we find much to commend— 
much that gives proof of the exercise of thought, of observa¬ 
tion, and an independent mind—there is much that does not 
accord with our views of medicine, simply because it is based 
upon the principles of homoeopathy, at least so far as the 
agents employed are concerned. We must, however, confess 
that we perceive some deviations from the doctrine of 
Hahnemann. For instance, we notice more than once, that 
Barbadoes aloes is directed to be given in such doses as would 
not be exceeded by the most confirmed allopathist. From 
four to six drachms constitute, we are rightly told, the ordi- 
