92 CRACKS AND SCRATCHES, 

 beaten barren tradt of ahm^ lead, vitriol^ ^ner^ 

 cuf-y, and a long lift of inveterate polfons, com- 

 ing immediately to a rational fyftem founded 

 on common obfervation and long experience. 



Cracks and Scratches, in nine cafes out 

 of every ten, are undoubtedly produced by 

 negligence and a want of care in the superin- 

 tendent i and not, as is too frequently fup- 

 pofed, from a bad habit, or an acrimonious 

 ftate of the blood. 



In many ftables, (particularly where the 

 mafter feldom pays a vifit), fo as the carcafs is 

 ileek, the feet and heels are left to take care of 

 themfelves. From this circumftance in fevere 

 weather (when the parts below the fetlock are 

 left in a wet, dirty, and flovenly condition), 

 do thefe complaints originate, evidently refult^ 

 ing more from bad grooms than ba^ habit. 

 It is likewife remarkable that the mode of treat- 

 ment for a century paft has been in direB oppofi- 

 tion to the efforts of naturi*:, without 

 the introdudion of a fingle attempt to co-ope- 

 rate in her endeavours. Inftead of corrojive 

 wafhcs, detcrge?2t]ox\ous, repel/ing linitnems, or 

 rejiringeiit embrocations, calculated to forra 



rigid 



