278 HORSE AND MAN. 



life of the horse. The animal, whose skin is sin- 

 gularly sensitive, and given to perspiration, is taken 

 on a cold winter's day out of a warm stable, in 

 which all the pores are kept open, and brought into 

 a frosty temperature, which is often aggravated by 

 a sharp wind. Only one result is likely to take 

 place, and mostly does take place. The perspiration 

 is checked, thrown back upon the system, and the 

 horse takes a cold, which, unless promptly treated, will 

 develop into pneumonia, or inflammation of the lungs. 



In America, horse owners are wiser than we are. 

 They have a complete set of waterproof clothing for 

 each horse, even covering the ears, and these coverings 

 are made in several portions, are ventilated, and shelter 

 the horse completely from the cold air. There are 

 apertures through which the shafts and reins pass, 

 but even these are guarded with waterproof flaps. 



In this country, however, we are less thoughtful, 

 and many a fine horse is lost through the want 

 of a little forethought. 



As we have already seen, ' reasons ' are plentiful 

 enough when any outrage on Nature is committed, 

 no matter whether the subject be ourselves, or 

 the animal of which we have the control. All kinds 

 of ; reasons ' have been proffered when man acts in 

 contravention of Nature. 



Shaving, for example, has its advocates; its 



