160 NAVIX ox THE HOKSE. 



be ascertained by a careful examination of the horse; and, of 

 course, the proper treatment to cure that disease, whatever it 

 may be, will cure the hide-bound. Among the diseases which 

 are most likel}^ to give rise to this trouble may be mentioned 

 derangement of the digestive organs, of the urinary organs, 

 and constitutional diseases, such as glanders, farcy, etc. It 

 is proper to remark, however, that hide-bound is, in many 

 cases of disease, one of the first symptoms to be observed; 

 and this is, undoubtedly, one reason why it is so generally 

 regarded as a disease itself. Starvation causes hide-bound, 

 and in this case it comes nearer being an independent disease 

 than in any other. But starvation, or insufficient food, affects 

 the general system as powerfully as any other disease. The 

 fact that hide-bound is not a disease can not be too strongly 

 impressed on the mind. Hundreds of horses have died while 

 this symptom has been treated, while the disease itself has 

 been entirely overlooked. 



But as this condition of the horse's skin is one of much 

 importance to be observed, I will explain the princij)al symp- 

 toms by which it is known : By feeling the hide, it will be 

 found that the trouble is confined to the skin, and does not 

 affect any thing deeper. The horse may be in fair condition, 

 and even the cellular tissue beneath the skin may be in its 

 naturally soft and spongy condition ; but the skin is dry, hard, 

 and unyielding, and, as to tightness, is like the skin of the 

 head or limbs; it has lost its oily, elastic character, and be- 

 comes as a piece of dry leather drawn over the frame of the 

 animal; it is very hard to pinch or gather up with the hand; 

 the coat, or hair, becomes dry, harsh, and staring, and no 

 effort of grooming can give it its natural, soft, glossy appear- 

 ance ; the hair will continue dry, and the coat will continue to 

 ^^ stared The skin and hair are evidently destitute of that 

 oil which nature has provided for keeping them in their natu- 

 rally soft and elastic condition. 



Causes. — The immediate cause of hide-bound is a drying up 



