Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1829-09-03
FARRIERY.

FARRlERY.
There Is 10 crea ure, perhaps, so much 20
be p;,ied as sick horse. We mean in this
coun,ry-for il Europe there are Veterinary
Departments attached TO the Medical Schools,
where the Structure and diseases OF the horse
are scientifically studied; where the treatment
is laugh, on ra,ional principles; and where Inc
practice is honorable, because II Is based upoh
knowledge. But here nothing is known OF Tar
riery, -xccp, What is picked up, mostly by &C
c,tlent-and may be right, or may be wrong -
But the latter Is m"st probable, because the
prac,ice Of the art is generally confined tn the
most ignora ant part OF The population. htSe
circums,aaces have rendered the practice de.
grading; and that which is quite as honorable
in its nature as the treatment OF human dissas
IS, and much better paid for, is wholly in the
hands Of uuacks-a set Of men who would con-
fer disgrace upon any calling. Let the subject
be attended TO, in a scientific manner, lei there
be veterinary departments attached 10 our me-
deal c colleges, and let only we'll educated men
attempt the practice Of farriery, and doctor
Of horses will be accounted as respectable as
doctor Of human beings; and he, who rele'es
the sufferings and saves the life of that noble
animal will he accounted no less beDetactor,
than he who performs the same services Tor
that, often less worthy, animal, man.
But, as we said above, there is no creature
more 10 be pi,ied Than sick horse We will
suppose the lot Of the four footed patient TO be
cast--not alone and far from human aid, tor
then nature might effect a cure-bu in the
midst OF an abundant populate where crowd
will soon gather round him. There will be
great diversity OF opinion as tn The nature OF
the disease. On calls it the bols. another the
cholic, a third a founder, fourth something
d.ffercnt from all The res,--in short, each one
claims the privilege of forming and maintain
ing his own opinion, and each one considers his
reputation for judgment concerned In support
ing his own views to the last.
As they differ respecting the nature Of the
disease, so they ditirr in regard to The mode u
cure. Even those who chance 20 agree MS Il"
the nature Of the disease, arc apt to disagree
abou: the treatment. OF those who pronounce
the complaint to be bots one reeommrnd mi X
and moasscs; another, red prscipita and sp,-
rits OF ,urpentine, another, aoes and beef brin' ;
and fourth, 60, monsirous0 tow, rut ope"
alive, and The ehtras throst down the poor
horses throat. Think Of that, We human pa
iients-did Won ever swallow live toad! IL
so, You viii have some idea Of miserable sick
horse swallowing ne warm entra,is OF muir
drred hen. Oftnose who will have he disease
to be choiic, one recommends gin horsr g.
who never drank any hing in his life but cold
water, has quart of ardent spirits poured
down his throal; another prescribes castor oil,
and forthwith bottle OF that is Sent after the
gin into the horses stomach; a third thinks he
has remedy worth both The others, and
pound Of ground mustard seed, mixed with
Cayenne pepper, is sent 10 keep company with
the rest. For it generally happens, that what
ever is recommended is carried, with as little
delay Is possible, into practice; Tor where all
are equally good authority, it would be unfair
to follow the advice Of one, and reject that Of
another-beside the owner is exceedingly anx-
ious for the life Of the horse, and is willing to
give him at least chance Of recovery, by max
ing use Of all known methods for effrc ting so
desirable an end.
Consider now the condition Of the poor ami
NAL He has according TO all accounis) not
less than half dozen differsni diseases; and
for each disease he is compelled 10 swallow
something like dozen different remedies -
The consequence is, that the poor horse has
not less than half barrel Of Of the most vati.
Gus nos,rums down his throat a, the same lime
enough to kill any we'll horse in christendom;
Judge then il sick one has any chance OF re.
covery! As might be expected the animal
generally dies-and with his dying breath
gives evidence, that the maxim Of Solomon
In the multitude Of counseh0rs there is sajety in
this instance at least has not proved true.
Berkshire american.