Exercise, 26 7 



in the event of the animal's death, with this consoling reflection, (and 

 a very comfortable one it is) that, at any rate, he did not die for want 

 of nourishment. 



Now, without by any means meaning to assert that there may not 

 be many cases in which the use of a cordial ball, or drink, may be 

 proper after great fatigue, especially after long* exposure to wet 

 and cold, unattended with vehement muscular exertion, I cannot but 

 reprobate the frequent and indiscriminate use of these unnatural 

 stimulants in stables. 



And I think the practice of giving cordial Balls to Horses on every 

 slight occasion may be aptly compared to the nefarious custom of dram- 

 drinking in men, and is attended with pretty much the same effects ulti- 

 mately. In other words, the frequent use of these strong stimulants, 

 precludes the stomach from exerting its due action and efficacy upon the 

 ordinary articles of food, which are simple and natural ones, and 

 therefore, in order to rouse up the pro[ er degree of excitement in 

 this organ, it becomes more and more necessary, to fly frequently, 

 to the use of such substances, as possess higher stimulating powers. 



If one were to endeavour, however, to estimate the quantity of mis* 

 chief resulting to both animals from these practices, the balance would 

 be found greatly on the side of the Horse. For, whereas, spirit-drink- 

 ing not only undermines the corporeal frame, but ultimately extin- 

 guishes the divine faculty, and sinks the man into the brute ; so, it 

 must be admitted, that the frequent use of cordial bails is confined, 

 almost solely, to the effect of palling the appetite, and destroying 

 the tone and energy of the digestive organs of the Horse. 1 would 

 fay therefore of the practice of giving cordial balls, (when I consider 



