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BULLETIN OF THE BUSSEY INSTITUTION. 287 
He should understand well the frame-work of the animal structure, 
the skeleton. He should comprehend that upon its form, proportions, 
and dimensions must depend the beauty and strength of the animal, 
and its fitness for the end proposed. He should know that this frame- 
work itself should be perfect, in order that all the physiological func- 
tions should be properly performed. ‘Thus, no animal could be con- 
sidered in a normal condition with a malformation of the bony chest, 
interfering as it necessarily would with the healthy performance of the 
functions of the lungs. His anatomical knowledge should teach him 
whether the form of the chest, the length of the spinal column, the size 
and shape of the head, the length and position of the extremities, the 
age of the animal as indicated by the teeth, will or will not suit his pur- 
pose; whether the motive powers of the bony structure, the muscles, 
are so disposed as to contribute as much as possible to the strength and 
speed of the animal. 
Again, without a knowledge of anatomy, the farmer is really un- 
fitted to treat many of the diseases and accidents to which the 
domestic animals are so liable. ‘Take, for instance, the horse’s foot, 
disclosing such beauty of design, —how can any man, without a famil- 
iarity with its structure, successfully cope with its various diseases, or 
even direct the mechanical operations of the farrier! On the other 
hand, by the aid of this knowledge, he is able to understand and to 
explain to others natural processes and the reasons of many natural 
phenomena. Thus he will know that, while in all the domestic 
animals the process of digestion is for the most part the same, the’ 
anatomy of the digestive organs of his cattle and sheep is different 
from his own, and is adapted to the great amount of food necessary 
for the proper nutrition of these animals. He will comprehend why 
the respiration of a horse cannot be aided by any dilatation of the 
mouth, and why this animal cannot vomit; why it is best to give liquid 
substances to ruminating animals slowly, and why the tongue should 
be left free during their administration. 
His knowledge of physiology will enable him to look upon his 
stock otherwise than as so many living machines for the conversion of 
certain articles into muscle, fat, or butter. It will also enable him to 
understand why the administration of drugs should be guided by 
reason and common sense, instead of by blind adherence to long con- 
tinued custom; that the action of drugs varies not only in the differ- 
