Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1897-11-18
Future of Veterinary Medicine.

Since the advent of the bicycle and
electric car, the statement has been
made that horses will soon become
thing of the past, and veterinary SER
vices will be required no longer, says
Journal of Comparative Medicine. The
same statement was made when steam
roads were first operated, but expe-
rience shows that far more horses were
required to carry on the commerce that
developed as result of improved IA
cilities for transportation than could
be used under the old system, when
all inland travel was dependent upon
horsepower, and local wants were met
almost entirely by local products.
While it is true that some horses have
been displaced by mechanical agencies,
it is also true that the demand for
horse-labor in other directions has in
creased correspondingly and in proper
ton to the activity of the commerce
of the country. For the past few years
certain classes of horses have been
very cheap, and this is directly attrib-
utable to the sudden increase in their
production, an increase that was far
beyond all possible demands, and to
the general depression Of business,
which greatly reduced the demand for
horse-labor, as we'll as for that of man.
But good horses are and always have
been in constant demand at remuner-
alive prices, and all well-informed
horsemen admit that the demand for
horses of good quality is greater than
the supply. Horse-breeding was such
an exceedingly profitable occupation
few years ago, and there was such an
active demand for horses of very in
ferior type, that any one with a little
capital could engage in the rearing OF
horses and make money. That period
might justly be compared to the BOOM
period of Western town, or to the
rush into any branch of industry that
is apparently simple, easy to carry on,
and promises large returns. But now
the business of breeding horses is es-
tablished on better, sounder and
firmer basis. The breeders of this
country are beginning to understand
that it is only by the exercise OF much
knowledge, good judgment and con-
slant watchfulness that horses of SUI
perior quality can be produced, but
that when these requisites are properly
applied, the reward is satisfactory.
Horses will always be used for draught
work in cities and in country; they
will always be used for riding and drlv-
ing; and racing, the sport of kings,
will always continue. But the horse
might become entirely extinct, and an
enormous field for the employment OF
veterinary knowledge and skill would
still remain. According to the statis-
tics of 1896, the horses of the United
States number Is, 1925 ,057 and are valued
at more than $500, 100000, while the
mules of the country are worth Sloo,-
600 900 more. The cattle of the United
States number 4S,200, 900, and are worth
1878 900 900. The sheep are worth over
SOS ,OOO,O 900, and are rapidly increasing
in number and value. The swine num-
Der about 43,O0O,000, and are worth
more than S1S6, 100000. The total value
of the several classes of live stock men
toned amounts to s1,727, 92G,0S4. This
total is considerably less than 1t has
been for some years, and than it will
be when the general business condi-
tions improve and livestock values re-
spond to the resulting stimulation. The
export trade of the United States bears
principally upon the livestock indus
try, and exports Of horses, cattle, meats
and dairy products are increasing from
year to year. No, the field OF the vet
erinarian is not bounded by any pros
pective limitation of the horses use
fitness. 1t includes the cultivation,
care and protection of animals that
supply us with our most nutritious and
expensive foods; with many of the lux
uries. as we'll as necessaries, of our
diet; with warm clothing for our body,
head, hands and feet; with many Of
the pleasures and comforts of life; with
agreeable, healthful and elevating rec
reation, as we'll as those that furnish
the common means of transporting
freight.
Campbells Early Grape.
ua howe roooived from Gen g JOSSe.