njifi r>&^ Farrier J Ne-ju Guide. Ch. LXXXII, 



in common with all other Swellings, either a Vifcidity and 

 Thicknefs of the Juices, or a Relaxation of the Veilels in 

 which thefe Juices iiow, or both. 



Hut if W€ examine more particularly into the Matter, 

 we fliall find, that befides thefe, there are other Circum- 

 ftances which conduce very much to the Swelling, and that 

 is, the Situation and Make of the Legs. As to their Make, 

 we have already oblerv'd, that they are very much com- 

 pos'd of Nerves and Sinews, whofe Veilels are fo fmall, and 

 laid fo clofe together, that the Fluids contained in them 

 may very eafily become obftrudfed ; ar.d by their Situation, 

 they are the moft dependent Members of the whole Bo- 

 dy ; whereby, according to the Dodlrine of Circulation, 

 all the Juices that are to be returned in the Mais of Blood 

 mull afcend upwards in the Veins, which, in thofe Parts, 

 have little or nothing to help their Progrefs but the Vibra- 

 tions and Shakings of the Arteries, together with the muf- 

 cular Motion. Whereas on the other Hand, the arterial 

 Fluid is conllantly forwarded into the Limbs, not only by 

 its Defcent, but by its continual Expulfion from the Heart ; 

 and therefore, when once the Blood is vitiated, and the Vef- 

 lels in the Limbs relaxed and weakened, a Swelling mult of 

 Confequence be expeded, becaufe a greater Quantity of 

 Fluid is carried downward by the Arteries, than in tliat 

 Cafe can be returned by the Veins. 



And this is agreeable to all the common Accidents and 

 Caufes that ufually bring on the Diftemper, as Wounds, 

 Bruifes, hard and immoderate Riding, coming off a Jour- 

 ney, or from Grafs, to ftand in a Stable, full Feeding 

 without due Kxercije, Colds, and Surfeits, Debility and 

 "VVeaknels ; and in fine, whatever may any wife relax and 

 weaken the Tone of the Fibres ; and if we examine into 

 thefe more particularly, we fhall find, that according to the 

 foregoing I'heory, ail of them may very naturally bring on 

 the Greafe. 



For, in the //r/? Place, albeit a Wound or Bruife, or other 

 outward Accident in the dependent Parts, is feldom attend- 

 ed with any uncommon Symptoms, if the Horfe be other- 

 wife found, and that due Care is taken m the Beginning ; 

 yet, if a Horfe in thefe Circumllances be neglected, or his 

 illcod be vitiated, it will be .;ipt to bring a Swelling into 

 the Legs, as all Pain is a Stimulus which draws a more 

 than ordinary Flux of Humours to the Part affedted ; and 

 if the Hurt be near any Joint, i^c. it caufes fuch a Stiff- 

 ncfs and aching, that the Horfe becomes exceeding lame, 



and 



