92 CRACKS AND SCRATCHES. 



barren tract of alum, lead, vitriol, mercury^ 

 and a long list of inveterate poisons, coming 

 immediately to a rational system founded on 

 common observation and long experience. 



Ckacks and Scratches, in ni,ie cases 

 out of every ten, are undoubtedly produced 

 by negligence and a want of care in the super- 

 intendent ; and not, as is too frequently 

 supposed, from a bad Habit, or an acrimo-- 

 nious state of the blood. 



In many stables, (particularly where the 

 master seldom pays a visit, so as the carcase 

 is sleek), the feet and heels are left to take 

 care of themselves. From this circumstance 

 in severe weather (when the parts below the 

 fetlock are left in a wet, dirty, and slovenly 

 condition) do these complaints originate, 

 evidently resulting more from bad grooms 

 than bad habit. It is likewise remarkable 

 that the mode of treatment for a century past 

 has' been in direct opposition to the efforts 

 of NATURE, without the introduction of a 

 single attempt to co-operate in her endea- 

 vours. Instead of corrom'^ washes, detergent 

 lotions, repelling liniments^ or restringent em?- 



