Smyrna times., 1902-02-19
PLEA FOR 1.-THE HORSE"
Interesting Paper Written by DR.. S. A.
Buchanan, Formerly OF Smyrna.

Buchanan, Formerly OF Smyrna.
The following paper was contributed
to the st. Louis Medical Era by DIR.
Samuel A. Buchanan, of Philadelphia,
formerly of Smyrna:
1t is a noticeable fact that nearly
every professional man has his hobby
or fad, as you may term it, to divert
his mind from his arduous duties i'm
posed upon him by mankind. Some
are given to flowers, some to photog-
raphy, some to hunting and fishing,
some to society, some to literature or
music, others to animals, especially the
dog or the horse, some to charity or
philanthrOphy.
Now, if there is one animal more
than another that would demand my
attention and sympathy, it is the
horse. [ speak of this because there
is no class of men that realize the
fidelity of such an animal more than
the physician, especially the country
doctor, who upon stormy, dark nights
is dependent upon the sagacity and in
tuition of the horse.
The suggestions [ give to You may
be of no material benefit in a profess
siOnal way, but indirectly and in
financial as we'll as humane manner
may be of some advantage. No one
who has witnessed Bartholomew
] troina1 hnronC foil 20
what degree of intelligence they are
capable of attaining. In fact, they
are taught to do almost anything that
eau be done by man.
Notwithstanding the fact that man
has been given such faithful servant
to do his bidding, how frequently he
is maltreatedl Not so much by the
average cart-driver, but by the "smart
set" who cater to society's whim, and,
l am sorry to say, some of the medical
profession, who are supposed to be
humane in the extreme. What is a
sadder or more deplorable sight than
to see a horse relieved of his cludal
appendage, or docked as society terms
it, especially when we consider the
agony or pain to which he has been
subjected in order to undergo the Op-
GRAFTON.
Well can we admire the sentiment or
the example of His Excellency the
President, when he refused to purchase
J a pair of horses because they were cob
{ bed, as he considered it cruel and in
: humane. Every society woman should
{ refuse to ride behind a horse that hai
been cobbed; thus by showing her
disapproval the cruelty would then bt
abolished. There is no mistake thai
: such barbarous practice affects thu
brain of the horse, for after the opera
, ton they do not possess the same de
gree of intelligence. 1 am glad t,
learn there is law against this PERM
9 cious prac tice, and am sorry it is no
e more frequently enforced.
d Another cruelty is the clipping c
l. the horse in order to save little extr
labor in cleaning the animal. 1 hav
5c6u buCul onlhOL AlhC bnC OOJ WIN ha
been rescued from the icy pond while
n skating. One of the latest and mos
painful tortures to which the hors
10 has been subjected is the burrs, whicl
is a circular leather pad, about tw
~ and one.half inches in diameter, til
inside of which is studded with smal
g. brushes of stiff bristles, about three
le eighths of an inch long, and in som
ID instances with nails and screws. Th
g burrs are placed within the chec
s. pieces of the bits with the spiked sid
lie next to the horses cheek or the ski
about the mouth. When the animt
moves his head to either side the pal
is said to be excrutiating, and
champs the bit and keeps his head u
and shows class aud form in ever
: move, which is the desired effect;
- other words, makes him prance
brighten up.
No doubt society was Mortified whe
n, it was learned through the agents (
n the Society for the Prevention of Or
d. city to Animals that Elbridge L. Gerr
Ia formerly president of the Society f
les the Prevention of Cruelty to Childre
so was guilty of such penal offense.
ny 1t is gratifying to learn there is
Ie- law against such barbarous practic
and there should also be one again
ha the injection of cocain in runnir
,s horses in order that they may be spi
nd tied. Another cruelty is placing
ror frosty bit in a horses mouth. Ju
,ro imagine putting your tongue to Il
I'd lamp-post on cold morningl In I
- der to avoid this trouble with yo
:. horse have his bit covered with leath'
- Philadelphia.
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