42 BREEDING. 



However difficult it may be to furnifli an 

 opinion applicable to every idea, I believe 

 with the fcientific inveftigator there need be 

 little fcruple to hazard a profeffional defcrip- 

 tion, by w^hat means fo ferious a revolution 

 in the frame is efFefted ; for the brain being 

 the very bafis of the nervous fyRem, and 

 the nerves the acknowledged feat of pain and 

 p/eafure, any exquifite or preternatural ex- 

 treme in either may be productive of great 

 debilitation, and the optic nerves being neareft 

 th^ origin, may become more fen fibly affec- 

 ted in a paralytic or fome other degree, than 

 any fubfequent pair, and the fight gradually 

 decHne from a partial vifion to total blindnefs. 



For the honor of human nature, I can 

 but moll earneftly wifli the applicable intro- 

 dudlion oi thefe remarks may induce the par- 

 ties interefted in the event, to be m future 

 a little lefs llrenuous in their different exer- 

 tions, whether for credit or emolument ; the 

 firrt, never to diftrefs one of the noblefl: ani- 

 mals on earth, by thofe frequent and fevere 

 runnings that evidently exhaull: nature to fuch 

 a ftate of mortification ; or the latter, in the 

 truly contemptible method of letting a horfe 



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