Chapter II: Preface

When laying the present volume before the public, the author cannot but feel he addresses two very opposite parties: one, and by far the larger portion of society, views the subject of which this book pretends to treat simply as a working machine, and regards all those who speak of the creature as endowed with intelligence or possessed of sensibility as fanciful sentimentalists checked by no limit to assertion. The other class--a small, but a highly-educated and an influential section of the public--sees the matter in a very contrary light. In their ideas, the equine race, though endowed with voice, is not entirely without reason, but possessed of the keenest feelings and capable of the tenderest emotions.

The last party, however, expect so little from living writers that probably they will be pleased with opinions which they may hail as an advance toward the truth. The first order of readers, however, the author cannot think to propitiate. Before the opening article is perused, one of these gentlemen will probably fling the volume aside with a sneer, and exclaim--

"Why, what would this fellow have? Does he desire we should build hospitals for horses?"

To the uninformed mind such a question will suggest a preposterous image. But, when calmly considered, a hospital is perceived to be nothing more than a place where disease in the aggregate is cheaply treated, and the trouble or the expense of individual remedies thereby is prevented. A hospital for horses, sanctioned by government, and honored with the highest patronage, does even now exist in the Royal Veterinary College of Camden Town. Such a foundation, therefore, would prove no positive novelty; but were such institutions more general, a necessity now universally felt would be supplied, while the duty incumbent on mankind to conserve the lives of beings intrusted to their care would, in such structures, be gracefully acknowledged and openly enforced.

No man possessing a horse is willing the animal should perish. His interest clearly is in the prolongation of its life; and he would gladly part with some money rather than be reduced to the ownership of a carcass. That, however, which he wishes to have accomplished he desires should be performed cheaply. Hospitals--supposing such places existed, and were of different grades or of different scales of charges--would afford the best prospect of relief at the smallest remunerative cost. Still, any application to such establishments must of necessity prove a tax, the only known preventive against the visitation of which would be the exercise of a little humanity.

A very slight expenditure of the last-named quality would save the equine race from a long list of ills which now are consequent upon mortal ignorance or upon human brutality. It is painful to reflect how many of those affections spoken of as equine disorders might be cheaply eradicated by the more reasonable treatment of the animal which man proverbially esteems to be his most hazardous property.

Cruelty is a very extravagant indulgence. There are now living persons who merely treat their horses according to the dictates of reason, and whose stables are graced by working lives of an extreme age. When he last walked through the Royal Mews, the author was much gratified to behold several fine animals, in the full enjoyment of strength and of vigor, which had more than attained their twentieth year.

It might prove nationally remunerative if all of her Britannic Majesty's subjects would permit the creatures over which they exercise legal ownership to live and to labor for their natural terms of existence. However, during the glorious days of post chaises, the horses for these vehicles generally cost £30, while, as an average, they existed upon the road only two years.

What a sacrifice of life and of money! Each horse cost the postmaster £15 yearly; while the animals working for the queen, and drawing carriages not conspicuous for lightness, if bought originally for a like sum, would not cost more than £1 per annum. The contrast is certainly startling. But to perfect it, there remain to picture the sorry jade which was formerly harnessed to the public chaise, and the stately creature which, in all the delight of beauty, accompanies Royalty to the Parliament House.

But there are other items to be considered before the opposite accounts can be fairly placed one against the other. A post-house generally was a pest-house. The miserable inhabitants of such a building did not suddenly die off, but, like other things, horses rocked to and fro before they fell. The closing scene of life was heralded by many fits of sickness, each of which was of varying duration. Were we to reckon the money which loss of services abstracted, the extra cost of those attentions which are imperative when health is failing, and the hard cash paid for veterinary assistance, very probably a far wider distance than at first glance is apparent would divide the Royal Mews from the sheds which used to form a part of every large roadside hotel.

In the writer's conviction, humanity toward animals should be more commonly practiced--if not from any higher motive, because it is certainly the truest economy. To make this fact plain is the intention of the present publication. To prove that horses are gifted with something beyond the mere sensation which is common to all moving things is the object of the present work. To convince the public, by appealing to the eye and to the understanding through the means of engravings and of letter-press, that the equine race inherit higher feelings than the vast majority of mankind are prepared to admit, is the purpose of the book now in the hands of the reader. To demonstrate how closely nature has associated man and horse in their liabilities and in their diseases--to induce men, by informing their sympathies, to treat more tenderly the timid life which is disposed to serve and is also willing to love them--is the highest reward the author of the following pages can picture to himself.

When making the foregoing acknowledgments, the author does not affect to disdain that recompense which is the due of every person who labors in any arduous pursuit. This, of course, he accepts. Though it did not enter into his thoughts when contemplating the composition of the present book, it nevertheless may have stimulated his exertions to perfect it. But, in addition to any weight that can be attached to such a motive, he desired to compose a work which should render the gentleman who had consulted it independent of his groom's dictation; which should enable any person who had read it capable of talking to a veterinary surgeon without displaying either total ignorance or pitiable prejudice; which, in cases of emergency, might direct the uninitiated in the primary measures necessary to arrest the progress of disease; and which, when professional assistance could not be obtained, might even instruct the novice how to treat equine disorders in such a manner as would afford a reasonable prospect of success.

When the regular diet and simple lives of most horses are regarded, the latter expectations certainly do not seem beyond the reach of human ambition. Cleanly and simple remedies alone are required; and these gentlemen of the highest rank may, without fear of taint or of ridicule, condescend to prescribe. To secure such an end, the present book has been written in plain language. The author has endeavored to eschew hieroglyphics and to avoid technicalities. The meaning has shaped the terms employed, and all the graces of style have been intentionally discarded.

In conclusion, the author has to thank the publishers for the very handsome shape in which they have been pleased to embody his efforts; likewise he has to acknowledge an obligation to the skill and the ability with which the Messrs. Dalziel have seconded his endeavors.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.

The Brain and Nervous System--Their Accidents and their Diseases.

Phrenitis--Abscess within the Brain 19

Staggers--Sleepy Staggers and Mad Staggers 20

Megrims 24

Hydrophobia 27

Tetanus 28

Stringhalt 33

Partial Paralysis 36

Gutta Serena 38

CHAPTER II.

The Eyes--Their Accidents and their Diseases.

Simple Ophthalmia 42

Specific Ophthalmia 46

Cataract 54

Fungoid Tumors within the Substance of the Eye 57

Lacerated Eyelid 60

Impediment in the Lachrymal Duct 61

CHAPTER III.

The Mouth--Its Accidents and its Diseases.

Excoriated Angles of the Mouth 64

Parrot Mouth 66

Lampas 67

Injuries to the Jaw 69

Aphtha 73

Lacerated Tongue 74

Teeth 78

Scald Mouth 82

CHAPTER IV.

The Nostrils--Their Accidents and their Diseases.

Cold 84

Nasal Polypus 88

Nasal Gleet 91

Highblowing and Wheezing 94

CHAPTER V.

The Throat--Its Accidents and its Diseases.

Sore Throat 96

Cough 99

Laryngitis 101

Roaring 106

Choking 110

Rupture and Stricture of the Œsophagus 115

Bronchocele 119

CHAPTER VI.

The Chest and its Contents--Their Accidents and their Diseases.

Congestion in the Field 121

Congestion in the Stable 123

Bronchitis, or Inflammation of the Air-passages 125

Pneumonia, or Inflammation of the Lungs 130

Pleurisy 136

Hydrothorax 139

Disease of the Heart 143

CHAPTER VII.

The Stomach, Liver, etc.--Their Accidents and their Diseases.

Spasm of the Diaphragm 145

Acute Gastritis 147

Chronic Gastritis 150

Bots 152

Chronic Hepatitis 158

Crib-biting 162

CHAPTER VIII.

The Abdomen--Its Accidents and its Diseases.

Enteritis 165

Acute Dysentery 172

Chronic Dysentery 175

Acites, or Dropsy of the Abdomen 178

Influenza 181

Abdominal Injuries 184

Worms 190

Spasmodic Colic; Fret; Gripes 194

Windy Colic 199

CHAPTER IX.

The Urinary Organs--Their Accidents and their Diseases.

Nephritis, or Inflammation of the Kidneys 204

Cystitis, or Inflammation of the Bladder 209

Spasm of the Urethra 212

Calculi 213

Hematuria, or Bloody Urine 215

Diabetes Insipidus, or Profuse Staling 217

Albuminous Urine 218