230 THE CONDITION OF HUNTERS 



to the skin of a clipped horse. The lungs are wonder- 

 fully assisted the more the insensible perspiration is 

 increased the less work for them to accomplish, the 

 less will be the determination to the internal vessels ; 

 and consequently the less risk of congestion in the 

 minute bronchial ramifications of the lungs. Every 

 man of information knows that most important 

 changes are effected on the blood in passing through 

 the lungs : the blood is carried to them in a black 

 state, or venous blood : it is returned of bright red 

 colour, or what is called arterial blood. Now this, 

 we know, is effected by the atmospheric air being 

 freely admitted to the air cells of the lungs. In 

 respiration, the air is vitiated, as well as diminished 

 in bulk. 



The groom is universally anxious that his horse 

 should carry a fine coat ; and, to effect this, the heat 

 of the stable is to be raised by every means in his 

 power ; and, in consequence, the formation of am- 

 moniacal gas takes place, and is diffused through the 

 building, which, owing to the want of proper ventila- 

 tion, cannot escape : therefore those highly delicate 

 and sensitive organs, the eye and the lungs, are 

 exposed to all the destructive effects, not of the heat 

 merely, but of the pestilential effluvium raised and 

 held in atmospheric solution by this heat. When 

 the horse is well clipped the coat is fine, and lies well 

 without any trouble ; therefore the groom does not 

 find it necessary to raise the heat of his stable beyond 

 a proper point, to effect that which he fancies, but I 

 do not, to be a sine qua non of good condition — namely. 



