BREEDING. 21& 



to the bladder by their weight. The belly of the horse is horizontal, and 

 the force of gravity can in no way aflect the passage of the calculus ; 

 therefore it remains in the pelvis of the kidney, until it increases so much 

 in size as often to fill it. We know not of any symptoms which would sat- 

 isfactorily indicate the presence of a stone in the kidney ; and if the disease 

 could be ascertained, we are unable to say what remedial measures could 

 be adopted. 



The symptoms of stone in the bladder much resemble those of spasmodic 

 colic, except that on careful inquiry it will be found that there has been 

 much irregularity in the discharge of urine, and occasional suppression of 

 it. When fits of apparent colic frequently return, and are accompanied by 

 any peculiarity in the discharge of urine, the horse should be carefully 

 examined. He should be thrown. If there be stone in the bladder, it 

 will, while the horse lies on its back, press on the rectum, and may be 

 distinctly felt if the hand be introduced into the rectum. Several cases 

 have lately occurred of successful extraction of the calculus ; but here it 

 will be necessary to have recourse to the aid of a veterinary practitioner. 



Many horses occasionally void a considerable quantity of gravel, some- 

 times without inconvenience, at others with evident spasm or pain. A 

 diuretic might here be useful, as increasing the flow of urine, and possibly 

 washing out the concretions before they become too numerous or bulky. 



The urine having passed the neck of the bladder, flows along ihe urethra, 

 and is discharged. The sheath of the penis is sometimes considerably 

 enlarged. When at the close of acute diseases, there are swellings and 

 effusions of fluid, under the chest and belly, this part seldom escapes. 

 Diuretics, mixed with a small portion of cordial medicine, will be benefi- 

 cial, although in some extreme cases slight scarifications may be necessary. 

 The inside of the sheath is often the seat of disease ; the mucous matter 

 naturally secreted there to defend the part from the acrimony of the urine, 

 accumulates and becomes exceedingly offensive, and produces swelling, 

 tenderness, and even excoriation, and sometimes considerable discharge. A 

 little fomentation with warm water, and the cleansing of the part with soap 

 and water, aided perhaps by a diuretic ball, will speedily remove every 

 inconvenience. Carters are too apt to neglect cleanliness in this respect. 



CHAPTER XII. 



BREEDING, CASTRATION, &c. 



This may be a proper period to recur to the important subject of 

 breeding, particularly important when there cannot be a doubt that our 

 breed of useful horses has, within the last twenty years, most materially 

 degenerated. Our running-horses still maintain their supremacy; our 

 carriage-horses are not much lessened in excellence and value j but our 

 hunters and hackneys are not what they used to be. We shall endeavour 

 to point out the cause of this. 



Our observations must be of a general nature, and will be very simple ; 

 and the first axiom we would lay down is, that "like will produce like," 

 that the progeny will inherit the qualities, or the mingled qualities, of the 

 parents. We would refer to the subject of diseases, and again state our 

 peifoct convictior: that there is scarcely one by which either of the parents 



