246 THE IMPROVED ART OF FARRIERY. 



produces lessened bulk, while a laxity of fibre in the 

 remaining portions is productive of languor and debi- 

 lity ; the quality of the food is also of considerable 

 consequence to the condition. Mow-burnt hay, by 

 exciting a partial diabetes, is very apt to throw a 

 horse out of condition. Musty hay also, and oats 

 highly kiln- dried, have an unfavourable effect on 

 it also. The liquid aliments should likewise be at- 

 tended to in a consideration of the condition. Mi- 

 neral waters are unfavourable to it in most cases ; al- 

 though there is reason to believe that in some morbid 

 affections they are salutary. Sea-water may be con- 

 sidered in the same light, but a continued use of the 

 brackish water found near sea bathing-places is unfa- 

 vourable to the condition of such horses as have not 

 baen accustomed to it, to which, in unison with the 

 bad care taken of them at the livery- stables of the 

 sea-coast bathing, I attribute the universal complaint 

 of the ill-condition in which they so frequently return 

 from thence. Badly-ventilated stables, excess of cloth- 

 ing, and deprivation of water, are also frequent causes 

 of morbid condition, as I have often witnessed ; for in 

 some of these cases, after a course of purgatives, fol- 

 lowed by alteratives and tonics, have failed, the more 

 simple means of succulent food, a proper quantity, a 

 well-regulated but perfectly cool stable, with a free ac- 

 cess of air, and very moderate clothing, have created 

 an immediate change. An inordinate quantity of ex- 

 ertion, particularly if continued unremittingly for se- 

 veral days, will often produce morbid condition, and 

 this in cases where the feeding has been supposed equal 

 to the tasks required. It is particularly hkely to hap- 

 pen to young horses, and to such as have not been 

 sufficiently prepared, in which cases it is clear that the 

 stomach, participating with the general debility, has a 



