§6 Injlammation of the Xiungs, 



cause I do not see, how the good effects that are attributed to theii«« 

 of sheep -ski nSj are to be accounted for satisfactorily, upon any other 

 principle, than that of their adhering- closely, to the skin of the Horse, 

 and confining^ the heat of that integument. For if we be not satis- 

 fied with this easy and simple explanation of the fact, weare> I think-, 

 inevitably reduced to the dilemma of having recourse to some mys.- 

 terious or superstitious mode of accounting for, the phoenomenon in 

 question. But, though it is indispensably necessary in this disease, 

 to cover the animal with plenty of light woollen cloathing, especially 

 in cold weather, yet, the. atmosphere of the stable ought not to be 

 hot and confined^ for, it should be recollected, that a great difference 

 must result to the Horse, between the circumstance of breathing a 

 foul and hot atmosphere, and that of having his skin kept warm, in 

 order to induce perspiration, which will, eventually, be the means of 

 lowering the internal heat of the animal. — In hot weather, however, 

 too much air can scarcely be admitted into the stable, and at those 

 seasons of the y^ar, when we have the means of regulating the tem- 

 perature^. it ought not much to exceed fifty degrees of Farenheit's 

 Thermometer. A loose stall is highly advantageous to Horses 

 labouring under this disease, and their bed should be an ample one 

 of dry straw. In those cases where the limbs are cold,, it should^ 

 reach nearly up to the belly. Water, which has had the extreme 

 cold tak<.n off i.t, or very thin tepid gruel, should be offered to tlie 

 Horse frequently ; but the practice of drenching Horses with what 

 are considered nourishing compositions, lest they should die for want 

 of sustenance, cannot be too much reprobated in this disease. 



For, it cannot be desirable, that more blood should be added io 

 the system of the animal^ whilst labouring under inflammation of an 



