TRE IMPROVED ART OF FARRIERY. 249 



disease, is usually a symptom only, being generally de- 

 pendant on a primary affection of the skin. In a few 

 instances I have, however, traced its origin to a de- 

 ranged state of the stomach, brought on by eating 

 noxious vegetables, and in some other instances it has 

 been produced by the musty quality of the hay used. 

 The treatment of surfeit, as well as of hide-binding, 

 must therefore follow the principles applicable to ill- 

 condition in general. 



Moulting, though a natural process, frequently pro- 

 duces much derangement in the system, and thereby 

 affects the condition often. This is usually more sen- 

 sibly felt at the autumnal than at the vernal shedding, 

 for the production of a long coat must naturally call 

 forth more powers of the constitution than a short one. 

 During the process of moulting, the vessels of the skin 

 are in a state of increased action for the purpose 

 of forming a new growth of hair, and as such all the 

 effects of slight fever are present. Horses are then 

 weak, sweat easily, are chilly, suffer from thirst, and 

 are irritable and low. Moulting, therefore, more or 

 less, puts every horse out of condition, and in the early 

 part of the hunting-season the inconvenience of this 

 is scarcely felt. At such times it is prudent not to 

 dress horses much, particularly with the curry-comb, 

 that the old coat may not be too quickly forced off be- 

 fore the other is ready to replace it. Warmth both in 

 the clothing and in the temperature of the air is salu- 

 tary. Plenty of tepid water should also be given ; the 

 exercise should be moderate, and the food liberal, but 

 by no means too heating. Succulent food, carrots, 

 potatoes, &c., may therefore with propriety alternate 

 with the corn given at these times. 



The cases in which a defective condition is primarily 

 seated in the alimentary canal have been already hinted 



2 K 



