210 . Chathin^. 



O" 



loss of that which his previously warm -clad skfn is robbed of, by 

 the sudden action of a frosty atmosphere. Now, that this is some- 

 times the case cann:>t btj denied. Tiiat it is often inadequate to pro- 

 duce the desired effect, is equally certain, and this may be reasona- 

 bly inferred from the shivering fits which commonly follow this mode 

 of treating Horses, although previously to those fits of shiverin^^ 

 they may have undergone brisk exercise. Nor need we be surprised 

 that brisk exercise should frequently be inadequate to prevent the ill 

 consequences of the sudden application of cold air to the surface, 

 which the practise of stripping Horses of their Cloathing in winter, 

 just before they leave the stable, inevitably exposes them to. 



For, the greater part of Horses, treated in this way, are either 

 blood Horses, or such as are nearly thorough-bred, whose coats are 

 short by nature, and are rendered more so in consequence of the high 

 temperature of the stable, and the use of warm Cloathing. When, 

 therefore, exercise is pushed so as that the coats of such Horses are 

 moistened by perspiration, the degree of cold which will be produced 

 on the skin, will be infinitely greater than that to which Horses with 

 longer coats are subjected. 



For cold (or to speak more correctly, consumption of heat) is now 

 well understood to arise from the conversion of fluids into vapour ; 

 and this may readily enough be admitted by any one who will recol- 

 lect the cool refreshing effect which follows in summer from sprinkling 

 water on hot roads or pavements, which is immediately converted 

 into vapour, and in this way cools the surrounding atmosphere. And 

 that the effect of evaporation in the production of cold is immense, 

 may be further exemplified by the practice which prevails in hot 

 countries, of cooling their wines by hanging the bottles^ covered 



