Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1877-01-19


ture was attended by very respectable
number of farmers from this aud neigh.
boring towns, but the audience doubtless
would have been larger had the travelling
been better. The lecturer was introduced
by DIR. II. ID. Holton, .who is one OF the
trustees Of The University, and who among
other remarks called particular attention
to the course of lectures which Prof. Cres-
sy Is 10 deliver at the University In Bur.
lington in March.
Prof Cressey commenced by abiding 10
the great importance Of better and more
general knowledge OF the diseases to which
animals are subject, as evidenced by the
ravages made by the cattle plaques ia
Great Britain aud other countries during
the last fifteen years. In Great Britain
alone the annual loss from cattle disease is
estimated at SlO,OOO,OOO; and by the three
plag foot and mouth dis
ease aud pleurU- pneumonia-which occur
red between the years 1889 and 1870 the
loss was estimated at $500, 600, 900, and in all
probability was much undeieslimaled at
that. Stock is all the while being imported
from England and other countries where
these diseases prevail, and without him
drance or restraint; SO that there is moth.
ing to prevent the occurrence of similar
devastating plaques among our own cattle.
In fact it is only four years since one Of
these plaques ragged in certain sections VI
New England. The interests Of our agri-
culturists have been long overlooked; but
to-day the tendency of education is toward
The farming interests. To Vermont Sem
ator is due the honor of having created our
State Agricultural Colleges and the day IL
not far distant wben The farming interests
Of our country will exert their due iDflu-
ence in our legislation.
The study of veterinary science is one
the importance Of which The people Of this
country have until recently entirely over
looked. Veterinary surgeons are still sneer-
ed at by many as If engaged 10 a low call
ing-"mere horse DOCTORS" they say. But
the horse Is as noble for the purpose for
which he was created as man, and he
should not he left in sickness and disease
to the care of quacks who know nothing OF
bis nature and organization.
The study of comparative anatomy dis
closes to us the striking similarity in struc-
ture that exists between the higher animals
and man. They are formed upon the same
general principle, and are subject to the
same diseases. The forward legs Of horse
are very similar to a mans arms. A hogs
foot ana a mans hand are anaiomicaly
alike, with The exception OF the thumb.
The OK, the sheep, the deer, and other ru-
minant animals were instanced as showing
certain peculiarities in the bones Of the leg
distinguishing them from animals that
climb, and also from man, but TIE differ
ence is comparatively slight. Man has five
fingers. In the sheep, the deer, and the
OK, all but the two middle fingers are drop
ped. III the horse, all but on are dropped !;
he walks upon his middle finger alone
that is, the horses fore foot CORES ponds to
the middle finger In man, the hoor repre-
senting the nail. 10 the remains of nu-
merous fossil horses found by Prof. Marsh
in his researches at the West, occur
traces of horses having extra toes.
The professor then took up the subject Of
diseases, but bad time only to dwell upon
few of the most common, illustrating his
remarks with specimens of certain forms
Of bone disease, and giving advice as 10
treatment. Ringbone, spiut and spawn,
he said were of the same nature, only az
acting different Paris-diseased formations
OF bone, resulting usually from injury.
Ringbone is, however, sometimes heredi-
tary; and horses in which it is hereditary
should never be used for breeding mr..
poses. Rest for a few weeks or months
aud the use OF cooling lotions, would often
arrest these diseases in the early stages.
but by continued using they are soon rem
dered incurable. Founder-which results
from sudden cooling amer being hard driy-
en-may be cured if treated within twenty
four hours, or even forty-eight. The rem
euy - 10 equalize the animals circulation
by giving thorough sweat. The disease
Is simply an acute inflammation In the bot
tom of the foot. A fOundered horse stands
on his heels-that is the SYM tom by which
this disease may be known. "Short step"
or Sroggy siep' (ndViculdtis,) is a disease
having the opposite characteristic of inclin-
ing The horse to walk on his toes. This
disease is an inflammation in certain ten
dons of the foot. A horse thus affected
should be shod In such a manner as TO IA
vor the affected participating on high heel
calks aud no Toe calk. A foundered horse.
on the contrary, should be given a high
loe calk and no heel calks.
In the application of these and other sup-
8estlons the professor indicated his hearty
approval OF and interest in the work con-
lempiated by the lately organized society
for the prevention OF cruelty to animals.
The evening meeting, it was expected,
would be mostly taken up with discussion,
out as nobody seemed inclined to offer re-
marks or ask questions. the professor con-
inued his subject of diseases of animals
Ind their treatment. Thrush. he said
was disease which might be either local
Or sequel Of ndvicIiatis. As local dis
'ase 1t arises from the horse standing too
much upon wet floors, and The remedy is
therefore plain. Horses standing too much
ipon dry floors are made boof-bound. In
MS case 1t Is good plan 10 sprinkle the
ioofs, or to apply an ointment made of
quar- paris OF sweet oil, mutton talloW and
zine tar, simmered together. In cases of
ereoro spinal meningitis, which sometimes
fleets the head and sometimes only the
pinal column, he advised the application
Il cold clay or ice 10 the part affected.
iorses driven long way, or worked until
cry tired, should be fed but lightly until
veil rested. If fed heartily before resting,
he food is not digested, but ferments and
he horse becomes blOaied, suffers intense
ain, and perhaps dies in a short time.
remedies must therefore be applied
He would advise giving dose
onsisting of two lablespoonsful of salera-
IS dissolved in water, or, one spoonful OF
aleratus, with e-half ounce of powdered