Virginia advocate. [volume] (Charlottesville, Va.) 1827-1860, 1829-09-11
sEARRIERX

h.
There is no creature, perhaps, so much
10 be pitied as sick horse. We mean
n this country--for in Europe there are
Veterinary Departments attached to the
Medical Schools, where the structure and
diseases of the horse are scientifically stu
died i; where the treatment is taught on
rational princsples and where the prac-
tice is honorable, because it is based up
on knowledge. But here nothing is known
OF farriery, except what is picked up. most
ly by accident-and may be right, or
may be wrong.-But the latter is most
probable, because the practice of the art
rs generally confined to the most ignorant
part Of the population. These circum-
stances have rendered the practice degra-
ding; and that which is quite as honorable
in its nature as the treatment of human
diseases, and much better paid for, is
wholly in the hands OF quacks-a set o.
men who would confer disgrace upon any
calling. Let the subject be attended to
in scientific manner, let there be veter-
mary departments attached to our medi-
cal colleges, and let only well educated
men attempt the practice Of farriery, and
doctor Of horses will be accounted as re-
spectacle as doctor of human beings !;
and he, who relieves the sufferings and
saves the life of that noble animal, will
be accounted no less a benefactor, than
he who performs the same services for that,
often less worthy, animal, man.
But, as we said apove there is no crea-
ture more to be pitied than sick horse.
We will soppose the lot Of the four-foote
patient to be cast---not alone and far
from human aid, for then nature might
effect cure-but i'm the midst Of an a
bundant population, where acrowd will
soon gather round him. There will be
great diversity of opinion as to the nature
Of the direasc. One calls it the bots, ano-
ther the cholic. a third founder, a fourth
something different from all the resin
short, each one claims the privilege ol
forming and maintaining his own opinion
'and each one considers his reputation for
Judgment concerned in supporting his own
views to the last.
As they differ respecting the nature oil
the disease, so they differ in regard to the
mode Of cure. Even those who chance
to agree as to the nature of the disease
are apt to disagree about the treatment
OF those who .pronounces the complaint
to be bots, one recommends milk and mo.
lasses,; another, red precipitate and spirits
Of fnrpentine, another, aloes and bee
brine and fourth, 70, monstrous )a
fowl cut open alive, and the entrials thrust
down the poor horse throat. Think
of that, we human patients-did you ever
swallow live toad! Ifso you will have
some idea Of a miserable sick horse swal.
lowing the warm entrails of a murdered
hen. Ofthose who will have the disease
to be cholic, one recommeds gin--and a
horse, who never drank any thing in his
life but cold water, has quart of ardent
spirits poured down his throat another
prescribes castor oil, and forthwith bot.
tie Of that is sent after the gin into the
horses stomach third thinks he has a
remedy worth both the others, and a
pound ofground mustard seed, mixed with
Cayenne pepper, is sent to keep company
with the rest. For it generally happens,
that as whatever is recommended is carri-
ed, with as little delay as possible, into
practice :; for where all are equally good
authority, it would be unfair to follow the
advice Of one, and reject that ofanother-
besides, the owner is exceedingly anxious
for the life ofthe horse, and is willing to
give him at least chance of recovery, by
making use of all known methods for eff.
fectiDg so desirable an end.
Consider now the condition of the poor
animal. He has according to all accounts)
notices. than half a dozen different diseas-
es and for each disease he is compelled
| to swallow something like dozen differ
ent remedies The consequence is, that
the poor horse has not less than half a
barrel of the most various nostrums down
his thOat at the same time-enough to
kill any we'll horse in christeDdom /; Judge
then if a sick one has any chance of re.
covery! AS might be expected the ami
NAL generally dies-and with his diving
breath gives evidence, that :the maxim Of
Solomon-Mthem multitude of connSeHors
there as SAFETY, in this instance at least has
not proved true.
Berkshire American
From the American Turf Register and Snort.
ing Magazine
WASHINGTON A SPORTSMAN.
The time which Colonel WAsnIsGros could
spare from the building and agricultural i'm.
provements, between the year 1859 and I774
was considerably devoted to the pleasures of the
chase. We have neither knowledge or tradition
of his having ever been a shooter or a fisherman
fox hunting being of a bold and anmatiDg char.
actcr, suited well with the temperament of the
"lusty prime" ofage, and peculiarly well accord
ed with his fondness and predsposition for cques-
TRAN exercises.
His kennel was situated about a hundred wards
south of the family vault in which at present re.