The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1864-1864, 1864-02-12
AGRICULTURAL. a
From the Mobile Advertiser.
THE HORSE LNFIRlLARY IN GEORGIA.
JOHNSON COUNTY Ga, January o5.


bic animal, the Horse, and especially since the
commencement of the war, you will pardon me
if ask at your hands space enough for the
following account of visit have just made
to the infrmary established in Laurens county,
in this State, for the treatment and care Of dis
eased, wounded and disabled, animals belonging
to the Government.
The infrma:y is located in Laurens county,
near the line between thata county and John
son, on the lands of DR.. Thomas A. Parsons,
and about twelve miles from Oconcc Station,
on the Central Railrood, and one mile from the
Oconcc River The locality is healthy the
land rolling and productive; the water :acili-
ties excellent, and the pastnragc very good in
spring and summer. The Government rented
5000 acres of land from DR.. p, last summer,
and Immediately began the work of erecting
stables, lots, corn and fodder houses, and 9TH
er necessary buildings. There is considerable
cane on the track, and over 200 acres of luxu-
rant Bermuda grass both of which afford fine
pasturage for the horse.
Horses that have become diseased, or been
worn down, or otherwise disabled in the pub
lie service, in South Carolina, Georgia and
Tennessee, are sent here for treatment. Large,
comfortable stables and shelters, and high, dry
lots have been provided for them If they are
suffering from CHAMBERS, or any other contagl-
ious disease as farcy or distemper, they are as
signed to hospital for that particular disorder,
which is located ut safe distance from the
other stables and lots. If they have been
wounded or crippled, or have bad case Of tis-
tula, or scratches, each one is put into com.
Portable stable to himself; and so if they have
been disabled by hard usage, they arc placed
in roomy stalls at night, and turned out to Craze
and exercise during the day. Each animal is
curried and rubbed daily his les and feet
washed, and his particular malady or hurt
carefully attended to. Indeed, all the diseases
to which the horse is subject arc here thorough
Iy treated by experienced and placticcd
veterinary surgeons and farricrs, whose zeal
is highly commcndahlc, and whose sue
cess has been remarkable The establishment
is Systematically arranged and managed, and
hostlcrs convcrsant with their duties are as
signed to the case OF the animals, under tie
experimenting care and direction of the far
riers. In certain diseases, a5 in ganders and
tarcy, gentle exercise is prescribed, and the
horses are leo or ridden for short distances
The general opinion is that CHAMBERS Is Il ia
tai disease, but am assured that over thirty
cases of it have been cured II this establish
,nent. OF the whole number of diseased and
disabled animals thus :ar sent to the lntirnary,
nearly ciehty-fvc per cert has been saved
Many Of them, after being cured and recruited,
have been returned to the army. Others are
improving rapidly, and will soon be in con-
ttion for service The rule adopted by the
commander Of the post is not to send back
any animal until it has been thoroughly y re-
cruitcd and rendered fit for duty. Such as
can never be made available for active service,
especially Mares are advertised and sold at
public outcry to farmers. Some OF the animals
were received in the lowest condition, but, un-
der the close attention and skitul treatment
given them, they are now doing remarkably
well. 4 number Of cases Of lalncncss sent to
the intirmary arose from non-attcntion to the
hoofs and feet.
The commandaut OF the post is Captain j.
G. Mckee, OF Columbus, Ga, an officer OF rare
zeal and fidelity, who has been disabled in the
service. He is devoted to his business, and is
one OF the most energetic men | have met
with in the public service. lie has in his en-
ploy fifty negroes and eight white men. He
Is now preparing accommodations for 1000
more horses, which arc expected to arrive soon
and this will render it necessary TO employ ad-
ditional help. No white man is employed cx-
ccpt disabled soldiers and persons unfit for ser
vice, by reason of age or other inirmity. The
farricrs and veterinary surgeons attached 10 the
infirmary arc Mcssrs. W. 7. Davis and j. Dis
brow, both Of whom arc devoted to the horse,
and exceedingly skill'u in the treatment of the
diseases to which lie is subject. Indeed, al
the employees at the post, white and black,