128 CHAPTER 15. 



if necessary, be used. The floor of the box should be kept as dry as 

 possible. The practice of washing the floor is very objectionable, both 

 because it makes the stable damp, and because it induces or at least 

 accelerates decomposition in the debris, which always to a certain extent 

 lodges between the interstices of the paving. 



If there are underground drains, water should be poured down them 

 daily, in order to keep them clear. 



250. Warmth of the body. 



The warmth of the body and especially of the legs must be maintained 

 by warm clothing and bandages, increased or diminished according to the 

 weather and the requirements in each case. Horses which are very weak, 

 we may however remark, cannot bear heavy clothing. Neck and breast 

 cloths, though not necessary or even desirable for horses in health, are 

 sometimes needed for sick animals. 



Friction may often be beneficially applied for the purpose of restoring 

 warmth, especially in the legs. In some cases irritants, such as turpen- 

 tine liniment, mustard, &c., may be required for the above purpose. 



251. Clothing. 



All clothing should be put on loosely. Not only is greater ease given, 

 but more warmth is obtained from loose than tight clothing. The sur- 

 cingle especially, if used at all, should be slack. Blankets tied loosely in 

 front and under the belly are however preferable to clothing fastened by 

 the surcingle for sick animals, especially in diseases of the lungs and 

 pleura, when the parts involved are liable to suffer from or to be impeded 

 in their free action by even the slightest pressure. 



If it can be spared, a second set of clothing should be kept in use ; but 

 in any case the clothing should be taken off and brushed twice daily. If 

 the state of the patient renders him very sensitive of any chill, only a 

 portion of the clothing should be removed at a time. In many cases, 

 especially during the stage of recovery, the animal appears to be re- 

 freshed in a very marked degree by the admission of fresh air to the skin 

 for two or three minutes at a time. Air under such circumstances no 

 doubt acts as a tonic, and its effects may be compared to those of shower 

 bath on the human frame. With a similar view under careful superin- 

 tendence a damp hay wisp may be run once or twice over the skin morn- 

 ing and evening. 



252, Warm bandages. 



Bandages intended to' give warmth are made of flannel, and should be 

 wrapped loosely round the legs. Tight bandages check the feeble circu- 

 lation, and moreover the caloric passes more easily through them than 

 through looser folds. It is believed also that there is a stratum of warm 

 air between the folds, which is beneficial. With the view of producing or 

 increasing this stratum, a little hay may be placed loosely round the legs 

 before the bandages are applied. 



