228 Litter. 



of the ceasing of the running from the nose, to be cured of the dis- 

 order, have the discharge excited airesh; when they are brought back 

 into the stable, although this circumstance is commonly attributed 

 either to the heat of the atmosphere of the stable, or to the loss of 

 the green food, which they /;hacl been, previously accustomed to. 

 For, in this instance, the Volatile Alkali operates as a morbid exter- 

 nal stimulus to the membrane of the nose, just as it does in that of 

 moonblindncss, upon the outer membrane of the eye. I have 

 thus glanced at some of the more prominent inimical efifects of Litter, 

 on the general health of the Horse. It remains for me to speak more 

 particularly of its effects on the feet and legs. 



Now, though the facts which Mr. Bracy Clark has adduced on this 

 subject, must be quite sufficient to satisfy the mind of every unpreju- 

 diced person, that contraction of the feet of such Horses as stand 

 upon litter, does not proceed faster in the stable, provided thci/ be 

 not shod, than it does whilst they are at grass ; in other words, though 

 this Gentleman has proved that the use of iron shoes, be their form 

 or mode of application what it may, is the great source of mischief 

 to the feet, yet, I cannot help thinking that he has somewhat under- 

 rated the influence which the i nfiammatory agents of the stable, must 

 have, in accelerating contraction when it has once begun. For 

 though I am far from doubting the accuracy of Mr. Ciaik's inductions 

 as to the shoe and nails, being the occasion of most of the cvi's in 

 the feet, yet 1 do r.ot think it follows by any means, that, because 

 these instruments are the original cause of the mischief, it may not, 

 nevertheless, be materially exasperated ^y the litter and the other in- 

 ilammatory agents of the stable. For, if it can be proved that the shod 

 feetof such Horses as are kept abroael, do not contract so rapidly a« 







