120 THE IMPROVED ART OF FARRIERY 



Jiered as the last stage ; but if the matter be white and 

 well digested, and occasionally decreases in quantity, 

 or changes to a clear water, it is a promising sign, es- 

 pecially if the horse be young. But even under these 

 circumstances, the pre- disposition to disease may still 

 exist, and tiie smallest irregularity, either in diet, clo- 

 thing, or exercise, may bring on a return of the com- 

 plaint. 



" Some young horses continue in this consumptive 

 state for several months ; and through the effects oi 

 great care and nursing, give at some intervals a pros- 

 pect of recovery, but, nevertheless, die ultimately ex- 

 hausted by disease. Some go off in a much shorter 

 time, although they are not apparently so much debi- 

 litated ; and some recover after a discharge from the 

 nostrils, even of two or three year's standing : but in 

 this last case, the discharge has been suspended at in- 

 tervals, and the mucous was always white ; and when 

 it ceased at any time, it was generally succeeded 

 by a simple discharge of clear lymph or water. 



" Such horses will retain their appetite ai)^' not lose 

 their flesh, and will go through their work tolerably 

 well with good usage; though, if they are hurried a 

 little more than ordinary, they will be the worse for it; 

 and those to whose lot such horses have fallen, nmst 

 have observed, that they seldom I'ecover perfectly, or 

 remain long well, until they are seven or eight years 

 old, when their complaints fi'eciuently go off, and they 

 become healthy and useful animals." 



Little alteration of the pulse is noticeable in the first 

 stage of the disease ; but as the constitution begins to 

 decline, so does the pulse quicken and become smaller 

 and considerably hurried during the periods when the 

 animal is put to any exertion. 



