Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1876-06-27
agricultural.
Dragging Horses.

We have in a previous article called at
tention to the barbarOrs practice OF drug
cling horses in order to put them into
apparently good condition, The present
i the time Of year when this Is most
commonly done, both by those having
animals under their care, and by dealers
who find that the effects OF spring weather
have rendered their horses less sleek and
plump, and consequently less saleable. Ii
therefore is advisable for those who have
horses to sec that their Stablemen DO not
administer condition powders of their own
connection. however desirable 1t may be
that tonic Of some kind, IN the spring
time be administered aud in buying new
stock, it would be as well to let bargains
pend for a fortnight or 50, in order 10
afford time for observation. whenever the
animals show suspicious signs.
There are very excellent veterinary
surgeons in this and ether cities, but the
profession Is ridiculously small in numer-
zeal strength. as compared to the live stock
in the country. The last census states
that the total number Of surgeons Is about
100. and there are over 5000, 600 horses
and mules. There Is one skilled doctor to
every 800 horses; or, If We take into
consideration other live stock, excluding
sheep and swine. the average Is one to
every 2I,655 animals. We adduce these
figures simply TO show the lack of educated
veterinarians. which exist throughout the
country, q lack which, as every one knows,
Is made up by amateur doctorlng' ad
hbitum.
There Is nothing so utterly pernicious
and unreliable Is the work Of amateur
dabblers at professions and in this very
fact exists the short-sightedness Of those
who entrust the doctoriug Of valuable
animals 10 men who are absolutely igno-
rant of the nature and cause Of disease,
and OF the proper scientific treatment 10
be adopted. and even Of the anatomy Of
the animal. II the carriage breaks down,
It Is sent 20 4 skilled workman for repairs
no one would listen TO the idea Of groom
attempting to replace the neat forging.
But when the horses break down, then, in
nine cases out Of ten, the groOm's suppo-
sitious knowledge is deemed ample security
against MS working harm by administer
ing drachms, and boluSeS Of wonderful
ingredients. An English agricultural
contemporary publishes letter from a
country druggist which sheds some light
on this ignorant system Of dosing. One
man demanded condition powders con-
tanning 1 ozs. Of tartar emetic, cream Of
tartar was meant, and the dispenser gave
that harmless substance, otherwise the
condition powders would have intallibly
killed the patient Another prescription
called for o. Spanish flies, irighttully
irritating poison. Again" adds the
writer. "the men somehow obtained enor-
nous quantities Of Sulphate OF zine white
zinc) and sugar Of lead, which they after
wards dissolve IN water and Use as lotions.
The substance Is scattered about the stable
shelves. and are carelesSly mixed with
chopped food or mashes, in mistake for
condition powders When We hear COM
plants Of actual horse poisoning, we Won
der how it has been done There need be
no wonder. The local druggist could in
most instances throw light upon the case.
Ii is bad enough 10 dose sick horses
by the rule of thumb but for the dosing
Of well animals, there Is positively no
excuse and if our societies for the pre-
yention Of cruelty to animals would open
! vigorous crusade against the system,
we should probably hear less Of it than
We now DO. 1t certainly Is Just as cruel
TO cause the animal suffering by doses Of
cantharideS or emeticS, as it is to drive il
when its neck Is CALLED and as the officers
Of societies are empowered by law to
prohibit the one, they are doubtless equally
empowered TO check the other. Mean
while. we suggest TO those who possess
horses, that the present Is an excellent
time to inspect stables, and to destroy all
the bottles Of stuff and papers Of powder
sure 10 be found on out-oi-the-way shelves,
and Of the use and nature Of which
satisfactory explanation cannot be gwen.
Scientific American.