FARCY. 137 



may venture to differ entirely from such an opinion, 

 and to state that I have seen horses in the finest con- 

 dition lost by it. No doubt feeble animals are very 

 liable to it, but the disease is not confined to such con- 

 stitutions. I have remarked that, when contracted by 

 high-conditioned horses, it can be traced to their being 

 called on occasionally to do extra work, followed by 

 entire rest for days together, as a sort of equivalent 

 for the spurt of work done, during which period of 

 rest (considered necessary on account of the beast's 

 supposed state of exhaustion) his powers are taxed 

 with the same amount of high feeding as if he were in 

 full work. 



Thus the absorbent system seems to become diseased, 

 and farcy buds appear, accompanied by craving thirst, 

 in which case, or on the least suspicion of the disease, 

 reference should at once be made to a professional 

 man. 



From these buds (whence after a time matter is seen 

 to exude) small cords may be traced leading to other 

 swellings, rather serving to distinguish the early stages 

 of farcy from surfeit, besides that in surfeit the lumps 

 appear indolent and scabby. 



To guard against this scourge of the stable, as the 

 disease is contagious, be careful what company your 

 horses keep, and let reason be used in the working, 

 feeding, exercising, and general care of your stud. 



What is called Water Farcy is neither dangerous 

 nor contagious, and arises from debility ol the system, 

 occasioned probably by over-work and indifferent 

 feeding. 



It is generally marked by a dropsical swelling of the 

 legs, mostly the hind ones. It is not common in 



