Litter, 231 



of two-edged sword ; as it will not only keep the skin in an unnatural 

 state of heat, so long as the Horse continues to stand upon it, but will 

 be the means of exposing them to a more intense degree of cold 

 when he leaves the stable, than would otherwise follow, in consequence 

 of tlie rapid evaporation that will lake place from the suriace, when 

 subjected to the action of the external air. And when once the inflamed 

 skin cracks, and small ulcers (or chops as they are called) are formed 

 in it, the acrimony of the putrid urine must prove a highly irritating 

 application to the sores. After all, however, unless I were able to 

 point out some article, not of a fermentable kind, which might be 

 brought into general use, as a trubstitute for the materials commonly 

 employed for litter, in these couHiiies, and which I acknowledge my- 

 self incapable of suggesting, it may be thought to be little better 

 than declamation, to inveigh against the mischiefs which they pro- 

 duce. But, it must be retoUected that there are many evils, both in 

 the natural and moral world, which, though they do not admit of 

 being entirely prevented or remedied, may nevertheless, be mitigated 

 in a great degree ; and this I apprehend to be the case, with regard 

 to the use of litter. From what has been premised, it will be seen, 

 that the mischiefs resulting from the use of litter, are produced by 

 the agency of two great causes, viz. the heat of the atmosphere, 

 and the urine of the Horse. Bat strict attention to cleanliness, and 

 a thorough ventilation of stables, will enable us to keep the atmos- 

 phere as cool as,we can desire, during the greater part of the year ; and 

 it should be our great object, to prevent the urine from being absorb- 

 ed by the litter, by every means in our power. For this reason. Horses 

 should stand through the day time, upon .the pavement, which should 

 be so constructed, as to carry otfthe urine inio a reservoir, purposely 



