, 1872-10-28
THE HORSE.DlSEASE.

! share WAS SO honorable.
| THE H0RSE.DlSEASE.
| Statement by the Agent OF tho Flu
/ name Society-Conditfon OF Street.
Railroad and onlnibus-Lfne Stables.
To The Editor Of The Chicago Tribune:
s1n: Looking upon the horse as the aristo-
cratic element in our dumb constituency, we
have visited and carefully inspected, in detail,
some Of the largest stablea in the city, and re-
port the .5acts as they have appeared to us.
Where approval ia demanded, we give it will
ingly; and, where condemnation, fearlees1y.
| Tho Chicago Railway Company own over 700
horses. They have three large stables. Tho
| one on State street, md that on Cottage Grove
| avenue, are new, and, though not costly struc-
| tures, are built with careful reference to the
| comfort and health Of the horses. The
! ventilation OF these stables is 80
| perfect that the amc1l ia scarce-
| ly offensive even to one unaccustomed
| to such scents. The floors are kept scrupu1ouB-
| ly clean, and the boxes where feed is mixed are
washed thoroughly clean every day, and no sour-
ness can be detected about them. The chance
| Of removing horses in case Of fire is fully pro-
vided for by doors at the sides and ends. Water,
both for drinking and bathing, is well supplied.
In fact, the appointments Of these stables seem
| to be about complete. The horses in both these
stables are in splendid condition. Those at
Cottage Grove avenue, We have no doubt, will
| challenge competition with any horse-car horses
on the Continent for size or condition Of flesh.
We think this praise only simple act Of Justice
to the superintondence Of the Company.
Mr. Grain, the Superintendent, and DR.
Withers, tho Veterinary Surgeon Of the Compn-
ny, kindly and frankly gave us the following
| factB rs to the health and mortality OF their
| horses. Some time about the middle OF Janu-
ary, 1872, they bought o car-load Of horses that
| came from Missouri. Some Of these we're at
tackled with catarrhal disease, and, on tho
OF s St Sosas ses hv ea os snsa o h
| September, II had died. @Had loo cases in one
| day in March Inst" There are some cases now
in the stables but fever than at any previous
| WitherB, who has just returned from Canada,
| where he has been on tour Of inspection for
tie Company aatau thinks the disease ease is Of
pRsvang in tbs 'has and nGw tns
probabilities are that the scourge has
been here and gone by. Otherfacts and circum-
stances Beem to confirm this opinion. But the
fact that the management Of this Company have
been able to battle this new enemy with 80 good
success, is, We think, worthy Of commentator.
ALI the cases that died were either enfeebled
horses, Or other complaints complicated the
case. They erected place for steam bath,
but discontinued its use, as no good results were
eeen. They intend to try tie hol-air bath as
soon as possible. These statements have been
kept from the public because it was thought no
good could arise from this publication, and alarm
might ensue through q Misrepresentation Of the
facts.
We found it more difficult to get information
that We deemed reliable from other quarters;
but We think it cannot be denied that many other
stables have been afflicted in the same way.
The e. / p. stables NE found in excellent con-
diton, woll ventilated and clean. They have q
few cases OF distemper. but it is different from
that at the car-stables. II their horses are
driven hard on the street, there is como compen-
sation in good care at the barn. We could find
no cause Of complaint here. ....
The West Division stable, at Western avenue,
is q splendid two-story brick. We have no COM
plant to make Of it here, except as to ventila-
tion, which we cEll simply e2ecrable All the gases
arising on the lower floor, full Of horses, pass
up into the second story also full Of horses, and
escape through g single ventilator in the centre
Of the building. Instead of this, there should
be ventilation from the lower stable, 60
that these gases would not accumulate in the
stable above at all; and ut least ak are
needed. This would be less thnn are in some Of
disease found in tho South Side stables exists,
and has existed, in this stable, for some time,
our Own observation, and the reiterated state
ment Of Dr.. Tuthill, seem to make clear. 1lr.
Combs stated in the presence Of DR.. Zaremba,
that nearly all the new horses brought into the
stable had been afflicted. It would seem from
this the disease might be contagious. We hope
our veterinary surgeons will look into this. We
ought, we think, to enter our protest against
horses being kept on upper floors, because Of
the utter impoasibility Of getting them out in
case of fire. It looks like tempting Providence
to put several hundred horses on IN upper foor
with only one place OF egreEs, and that IN the
middle of the building.
This Company's barns on Van Buren, street,
and also on Blue Island avenue, are without any
ventilators, though both have been recently con-
this as gross neglect. Horses cannot be kept
healthy, surrounded with the noxious gases
arising from tho offal Of stables. The heat and
smell are almost insufferable, when opened in
the morning, so we are informed.
Mr. f. Ragor, proprietor OF the Canal street line
of buses, informed us that nearly nll Of his
horses we're afflicted with this "throat-discaso'
last spring. He has no cases now, and his
horses LOOK WE'LL and are well cared for It will
be well for some Of our other bus lines to tako
notes Of Hi. Ragor.
We examined other stablos, and those most
poorly Kept are the most reticent about disen6e.
Horses slowed in Easements, under sidewalha
looked poor and gaunt, from want OF food and
pure air. Not being able to work, they are
slowed away to die, while the owner is enjoying
! bis M pound Of flesh. We are. glad the press of
servant Of the public, and, where the law is pow @
erless, will hold up to contempt the man OF cor
| poratlon who Tilfu1ly abuse the noble horse
| Ihe horse has been brought up to his present
state OF excellence by good care and attention
ana, to Keep him there the same means must
be continued. And, if nothing else is given him,
let hlm hare plenty Of pure, vitalizing air.
| JAMES Il. BRASsoN,
agent OF the Illinois Humane Society.
| CHICAGO, Oct. &c. 1872.
| - preventive Treatment.
10 the Editor Of Tbs Chicago Tribune;
Sir: To be forewarned is to be forearrnad. Tn
view Of the fact that the horse disease. now 40
fatal in other cities, may soon visit Us, desire