VALUE OF CLOTHING AND CLEANLINESS. Ill 



and in some diseases of the skin it is absolutely indispen- 

 sable to attend to the frequent changing and purification of 

 the coverings of the body. 



It is well known that, however necessary a free circula- 

 tion of air in a stable may be to promote the health of the 

 skin ; as of every other organ of the body, it is indispensable 

 to have the distribution of the currents uniform. Any spe- 

 cial current striking against any part has the effect of lower- 

 ing the temperature of the skin below the usual standard, 

 and then a reaction occurs which is apt to be the cause of 

 congestion and inflammation. This explains the occurrence 

 of cracked heels from a draught of cold air playing directly 

 on the heels of a horse standing in front of a door, when, 

 perhaps, the only inlet for air is through a fissure left by 

 accident, or occurring as the result of a door shrinking after 

 having been fixed by a carpenter. 



In order to keep a horse's skin in good order, it is indis- 

 pensable to give him exercise, and, occasionally, exercise cal- 

 culated to make him sweat. This facilitates the cleaning the 

 skin of effete material, in the shape of waste cuticle, which 

 cannot otherwise be easily detached ; and by attention to the 

 rules laid down as to clothing, and not overfeeding, animals 

 are found to live to a good old age in perfect health. 



Baths cannot be used much, except for small animals. 

 Washing the skin, the feet and legs more particularly, is a 

 plan to be recommended for horses, if care is taken to dry 

 them well. Most animals would experience good effects 

 from the cold-bath system adopted by human beings, only 

 their hairy coat prevents the same beneficial reaction being 

 obtained, without entailing a large amount of labour which 

 can well be dispensed with. 



For the smaller animals, tepid baths are of great service, 

 and I here subjoin a table showing the temperature of 



