"Why are the poor hungry?--Why do not your flocks and herds
multiply and increase?--Why do ye maltreat the sire and kill the
mother of many progenies."
"Obey my Laws, and your flocks will equal in number the drops of
water in the great Cataract, which ever flowing, ever merging in
the mighty Ocean, is constantly supplied with new increase for the
refreshment and delight of Montalluyah."
Amongst the numerous precautions for the promotion of the general health
is the attention given to the subject of animal food, the care taken of
the beast, the mode of slaughtering, and the rigour with which every
beast having the slightest tendency to disease is rejected as unfit for
food.
All animals, and particularly those intended for food, are now treated
with great kindness, gentle treatment and cleanliness being thought
essential to the excellence of the meat. Formerly, when the beasts were
improperly treated, the growth of the young was impeded and the quality
of the meat deteriorated. They are now watched over with the utmost
care, the greatest attention is paid to the most minute particulars, and
so well are they treated, that, notwithstanding the heat of the climate,
they are quite tame. When any one goes into a field, the sheep and lambs
will come round him and lick his hand. Their pasture is changed every
week, for it is found that, when in our climate grass is eaten too
closely, noxious insects are bred by the accumulation of stale manure.
In or near every pasturage are pools of running water, to which the
animals are conducted daily. These are supplied by a very high jet
which, when in action, throws its water from a reservoir to a long
distance, which may even be increased by means of pipes, and thus
fertilizes the field. Much of the water proceeds in the first instance
from the cataracts, which begin high above the level of the meadows. As
soon as the animals are turned out, the jet is made to play on the
fields they have quitted. Then the moisture, mingling with the fresh
manure, and our glorious sun enrich the land, and luxuriant grass is
quickly produced.
In former years diseases prevailed amongst our flocks and herds. We had
one amongst the sheep, not unlike the smallpox of your world. These
diseases were generated partly by the filthiness of the pasturage, and
partly by a want of change, which I believe to be principal causes of
many of your cattle diseases. We now give far more attention to the
cleanliness and health of the animal than in our world was formerly
bestowed on the poor.
In every field is a shady spot, contrived to protect the animals from
the sun during the heat of the day. The ground being very undulating, a
shade is obtained by merely throwing out, from the higher land above,
some wood or other material to serve as a roof.
In case of illness among the animals, the great remedy used is a
particular kind of electricity, which gives an impulse to the blood and
changes the humours. This, with diet and care, is the only expedient
employed to restore the animal to health. If a female animal is of a
sickly nature and likely to give birth to inferior beasts, she is
quietly put out of the way.