Mower County transcript., 1871-12-14
NJ Management l.ft!lc Stables.

4 large number of the diseases which
horsahcsh is heir too arc contracted
i'll improperly constructed and badly
managed stables, and, on this account,
the management Of the stable is OF
moro importance to the owner Of
horses than nj ght at first sight
appear. When young horses arc
taken from the fields, where they
enjoyed an abundance Of pure and
Wholesome air aud succulent fool, and
are confined in close stables, and sup
piled with dry f:od, they must suffer i'll
health and constitution if great care is
not taken that the change i: made
gradually. and that suitable ventilation
is afforded. In the first place. the ami
NAL deteriorates the atmosphere Of the
stable by breathing. During the brief
period the air is in the lungs it is de-
prived Of its oxygen, and carbon sup
plies its place, 50 that carbonic acid gas
is drive. off by expiration.
Nitrogen is a little lighter than at
mosphcric air, but carbonic-acid gas is
much heavier, and to this has to by
added the fact that in the ordinary
position Of the horses heads the cxpir-
cd air is sent with considerable force in
a downward direction, and it is not
casibly removed from the stable. cvc.'
by ventilation. Lime and carbonic acid
have 4 strange affinity for each other,
and scientific man Of cminrnce has
sugyc ted that in the corner Of each
stall, and in front Of the horse, a small
recess should be constructed for contain
ing box for holding hJCratc If lime,
which would absorb the carbonic acid.
and purify the air. n snail, movable,
grated door should be placed in front OF
the recess, SO that the lime may be OK
changed when saturated with carbonic
acid.
Tubes to facilitate the escape of the
nitrogen anil heated air should Le
placed at the ends Of the stable, and
along its roof, and care should be tax en-
that this contaminated air shall not
come in contact with the hay which is
too often kept on loft over the horses
The hay should be kept in some place
where it will not be liable to damage
from the exhausted air and ammoniacal
gases which escape from the stable
Fresh air should be plcntifully admitted
by openings in several places in the
walls of the buildings behind the horses
the external openings about one foot
from the floor, and the internal part of
the same opening, four feet from the
same level. by this mode OF arrange
ment the air will have an upward ten
dency rather above the animals, and the
cool air, descending by its own gravity,
will prevent dangerous currents i'll the
stables.
The escape of ammonia, etc., from
the urine and other filth, is a fruitful
source of Inconvenience to the animals,
and thrush, canker, and, perhaps, grease
arc the results; at least, it is plain that
whether Or bot filthy stable will pro-
ducc grease, it is certain the ammonia
and filth will very much agyravatc the
disease, and very likely should any acci-
dental circumstance abrade any part OF
the heels, grease will be the consc-
quencc. 1t appears also, from the
recorded opinions Of the most intcl1i,
gent veterinarians, that the irritating
vapors of neglected stable act most
injuriously Oh tho constitution Of the
horse, giving rise to those dangerous
diseases, larcy and glanders. Ammo
niacal and other azotizcd vapors float
ing in the open atmosphere are the
cause of fever and aguc, and other bill
lious diseases; how much more danger
Gus arc they when confined within the
'inits .! IL stable or shed
TO set rid Of the anlmoniacal vap,rs
Of the stable, there ought to b. con-
st,uctcd in the floor, at such distance
from the stall as would prevent the
droppinys from filling into tlen, OBJ
long: sh How excavations, and sui phuric
acid, mixed with s,wdust Or dry, pow
dcrcd peat earth, placed in them for the
purpose Of exposing as extensive sur
face to the air as possible. Over these
grooves strong grating Of metal,
whose bnYs cror5 cath other at right
angles, md leaving only small iu,crsti-
ccs between lhcn, t" prevent any usr-
full article from falling through, should
be securely fixed. although, at th, Same
time easily removable, for the purp"sc
Of replacing the mixture when dcsira
bic. This is ono very effective mode Of
"lS"rbiny the ammonia. and ri'luiny the
stable Of this dangerous vap"r.
Rapidly conveying the urine from
the stable has boon advocated as one
way Of preventing the formation of am
monia, and certainly the 'onrr this can
be done, the better. Some sort Of cess
pool is necessary. 1t must be very
carefully shut up from air, else cur
rent will t.: '""t al'us tn, drains into