^ Infiammation of the Lung$. 85 



<o support the notion, that it has been produced and kept ap, by 

 the salutary process of perspiration. The mischief, moreover ends 

 ^lot here, for in the course of a few hours, putrefaction begins to 

 take place in the sheep-skin, and in the juices which exude from it, 

 and, thus, the atmosphere of tfee stable becomes impregnated, not 

 only with nauseous, but with noxious effluviae. Now, that Am- 

 monia (or Volatile Alkali) is plentifully detached from the sheep- 

 skin, as soon as the putrefactive fermentation takes place in it, there 

 can be no manner of question. If anyone be sceptical on this point, 

 he may have his doubts effectually cleared up, by the evidence of two 

 of his senses. — For its pungency may be smelt, and the effect of its 

 acrimony may be seen on the skin of the Horse, which is always 

 found to be more or less excoriated, by the adoption of this absurd 

 pmctice. It is true, indeed, that those who recommend this prac^ 

 lice, advise the repeated application of fresh skins; yet, when wc 

 consider how rarely it must happen, that a succession of warm skins 

 from newly slaughtered sheep, can be procured, and, at the same 

 time, take into account, the great disadvantages which must result, 

 from their remaining on the Horse, for any considerable space of 

 time, there will, I should think, be but little hesitation, in giving 

 up a practice, against which so many solid objections have been 

 shewn to lay. Besides, it must, I think, be pretty evident, that 

 plenty of light woollen cloathing judiciously disposed upon the ani- 

 mal, (his extremities being made warm, and protected in the way I 

 have recommended,) will be quite adequate, so far as the affair of 

 warmth is concerned, to encourage the desirable state of perspira- 

 tion, which is all, I presume, that the sheep-skins can be supposed 

 to effect. I say, so far as the affair of warmth is concerned, be- 



Y 



