ON THE STABLE. 143 



close stables do not increase the internal heat of 

 the horse, but rather have a tendency to dimi- 

 nish it, by rendering the circulation of the blood 

 languid, for want of a sufficient quantity of the 

 natural stimulus contained in that portion of the 

 atmosphere called oxygen or vital air. The 

 confined vapour also becomes condensed on the 

 walls, racks, and mangers, producing a constant 

 and unhealthy dampness. As the horse, when 

 in the stall, is stationed to one spot, and conse- 

 quently cannot warm himself by exercise, it 

 therefore is not improper to clothe him mode- 

 rately ; but, at the same time, he should breathe 

 fresh air ; for which purpose nothing is required 

 but an outlet for the foul air, by which a 

 proper circulation of that fluid will be main- 

 tained. This may be eftccted by carrying a 

 tube of six inches diameter from the center o( 

 the ceiling through the roof. The next cir- 

 cumstance to be attended to, is the admission of 

 a sufficient portion of light. It is the prevail- 

 ing custom to have small windows to stables, and 



frequently 



