Book VII. DISEASES OF THE HORSE. 909 



of the animal. In the cart horse, provided there be sleekness of coat, looseness of hide, sound wind, 

 freedom from grease or swelled legs, with good digestion ; a fulness and rotundity of bulk, instead of 

 detracting from his beauty or impeding his exertions, will add to tthe one and assist the other. In the 

 coach horse, the hackney, the hunter, and the racer, a different condition is expected, varying in 

 different degrees from that of the cart horse. In both cart horse and racer, it is equally necessary 

 that the various internal organs should be in a state to act uninterruptedly for the benefit of the whole : 

 but in addition to this, it is necessary to the racer, that the greatest possible quantity of animal 

 fibre should be condensed into the smallest possible bulk ; and that the absorption of all useless fat and 

 other interstitial matter should be promoted by every possible means, as essentially necessary to unite 

 lightness of body, with full strength and elasticity. It is in the attempts to produce such a state in its 

 full perfection, that all the secrets of training consist : but whether a total departure from natural 

 rules, by unnatural heat, deprivation of light, stimulating food, restraint from water, and excessive 

 clothing, are best calculated to promote it, admits of much doubt; and it is to be observed that the dawn 

 of reason and science appears to be shining through the crevices of these darkened casements ; for even 

 at Newmarket the system has lately much relaxed from its artificial rigor. 



5755. To bring a horse into condition, not only should the purposes he is intended for be taken into 

 account, but also his previous state. If he be taken up from grass with much flesh on him, it is evident 

 that what is required is to remove the soft interstitial matter it may be supposed he has gained by green 

 food, and to replace it by hard flesh ; and also to produce a sleeknes of coat and beauty of appearance. 

 To accomplish tliese ends, the horse should be accustomed to clothing and the full heat of the stable by de- 

 grees only; and also by degrees only to the meditated change of food; which is best done by mashes. In 

 two or three days a mild dose of physic may be given, during all which moderate exercise only should be 

 allowed, as walking, but which may be continued two hours at a time. After the physic has set, begin 

 to dress his coat, increase his exercise and his food, and accustom him to an increase of warmth. In four 

 or five days time again mash hira for two days, and give a second dose of physic, a very little stronger 

 than the first. (5875.) After this, still further increase his warmth, his exercise, and his food, by 

 which his belly will be taken up, his flesh will harden, and his coat will begin to fall. A third dose 

 of physic, or urine balls, &c. are only necessary in the training of hunters, &c., and even in these 

 a gradual increase of exercise, rather long continued than violent, with proper food, will effect the end, 

 if not so quickly, more beneficially to the animal. To bring a lean horse into condition, a somewhat 

 different plan should be pursued. If from grass, still mash him for a day or two, by no means stint him 

 in his water, and with his masli let corn be also soaked. If corn be speared or malted, it will produce 

 flesh sooner. But even here, give the horse moderate walking exercise, and if he be not too much 

 reduced, add a mild dose of physic to prevent his heels flying, or his getting hide bound by the 

 increased food; but if great emaciation forbid the physic, give him nightly an alterative, {Vet. Pharm, 

 5881. iVt. 1.) As his- appearance improves, gradually harden his food and increase his exercise. 



5756. Diseased condition of horses.. What has been already said relates to that alteration from one state 

 to another, neither being an unhealthy one, which custom has rendered necessary ; thus a man in train- 

 ing for running or fighting, and a man out of training, are both considered equally healthy. But there 

 are circumstances that produce a morbid state of coiidition, different from all these. It is common to 

 hear persons say " my horse is sadly out of condition, and 1 cannot tell either what is the matter with 

 him, or how to get him into better case." Various are the causes that may produce this : a sudden 

 alteration of the food, or temperature, or of habits altogether, may become a cause. Removing a horse 

 from grass to a heated stable, full feeding, and hard exercise Avill often do it : therefore these changes 

 should always be gradual. Bad food, as mow-burnt hay, musty oats, beans, &c., likewise mineral waters, 

 foul air, &c., are frequent causes. Diabetes, or profuse staling, is often brought on by these means, 

 and the condition of the horse becomes greatly reduced. It is requisite, therefore, to enquire whether any 

 of these errors are in existence, and to immediately remove them : but it often happens that the stomach 

 has become relaxed and the hide become bound ; neither of which readily remove, even though the 

 original evil may be amended. When the relaxed stomach has produced lampas, treat the mouth as 

 described under that disease (5777.), but the stomach itself must be principally attendetl to. First mash and 

 give a dose of physic ; after it has set, commence the treatment, if the horse be of a full habit, by a mode- 

 rate bleeding and a nightly alterative {Vet. Pharm. 5881. No. 1. or 2.) But if he be not in full, but in low 

 flesh, commence by a Aa.\\y tonic, {Vet. Pharm. B^^i. No. 1. or2.) which will gradually remove the swelling 

 within the mouth, and loosen the hide. A sudden cold appUed to the skin often brings on a want ot 

 condition with surfeit. In which cases bleeding, nightly alteratives ( Vet. Pharyn. 5881. No. 1. or 2.) with or 

 without an assistant dose of physic, as the habit of the horse may require, constitute the proper treat- 

 ment. Worms form another cause of morbid condition which are to be removed as described (5809.). 

 Excessive fatigue is also productive of a bad state of condition,which often proves very obstinate. Turning 

 out to very good grass is the quickest cure, and when that is impracticable, soiling in the stable, 

 or feeding with carrots, parsneps, beet root, &c. will be food restoratives ; as medicines give tonics daily. 

 {Vet. Pharm. 5882. No. 1. or 2.) It will be only necessary to add, that in considering the state of a horse's 

 condition, the effect is apt to be mistaken for the cause, and ttie symptoms for the disease. Hide bound 

 and lampas are not in themselves any thing more than effects, or symptoms; the former being com- 

 monly, and the latter being always dependent on a deranged state of the stomach: both are therefore 

 to be treated accordingly. Exactly the same will apply to all the other symptoms of morbid condition. 



SuBSECT. 2. Inflammatory Diseases of the Horse. 



5757. The inflammatory diseases of the horse are numerous, but his fevers are few ; 

 a febrile state being generally brought on by the inflammation of some important 

 organ. Inflammation may be considered as general or diffused, and local or conflned, 

 and both seem to arise from an affection of the blood vessels, and perhaps from a pecu- 

 liar state of the blood itself. 



5758. General or diffused ivjlammation constitutes fever or extensive inflammatory 

 affection, and appears to consist in an increased action of the heart and arteries, accom- 

 panied with an increase of heat. In some instances where the fever is purely symptom- 

 atic, and dependent on the inflammation of some important organ, as of the lungs, 

 or the intestines, the circulation appears retarded rather than increased, from interrup- 

 tion arising to its passage through the heart. 



5759. Local or corifined inflammation is also dependent on an affection of the blood 

 vessels, but confined principally to the blood vessels of the part affected. It is be- 

 tokened by redness in the skin, tumor or swelling, heat and tenderness, with pain. 

 Inflammations, both diff'used and local, are brought on by excitements, such as over- 

 feeding, excessive heat, the I'eaction produced after cold, and the reaction produced by 

 inordinate exertion. Those more exterior, arise from injuries, the application of im- 



