274 MANUAL OF MODERN FARRIERV 



white legs and feet, points not desirable in any 

 horse. 



HIDE-BOUND. 



SYMPTOMS. This complaint consists of an altera- 

 tion in the substance of the skin, proceeding from a 

 hardness and unyieldingness of texture, in conse- 

 quence of the want of the ordinary oily secretion on 

 its surface, as well as in its whole parts. The skin 

 to the touch has a dry and rigid feel, which proceeds 

 from a want of energy in the vessels of the skin, 

 rendering them unfit to perform their functions, and 

 indeed in the vessels of the stomach and bowels, 

 which must affect those of the whole system. 



This rigidity of the cuticle naturally causes a 

 dryness in the scales which cover it ; and these 

 being separated in all directions, turn the hairs in 

 that irregular manner, and produce the rough, uneven 

 coat, which is termed staring, always indicating a 

 want of condition in the animal. This complaint 

 may rather be considered as the concomitant of 

 disease, than the ailment itself; for the root of the 

 evil is seated in the stomach and bowels. This being 

 the case, we must apply the remedy to the seat of 

 the disease, as well as to the skin itself. 



CAUSE. This state of the skin accompanies 

 various complaints, consequently the first thing we 

 must look to is to discover its cause ; and so soon 

 as the cause is removed the skin will be restored to 

 its natural healthy condition and appearance. 



REMEDIES. If the complaint is connected with 

 any of the maladies to which we have referred, then 

 the medical treatment already recommended in these 

 must be adopted ; but if we are unable to detect 

 the cause, which is frequently the case, it may then 



