EFJIECTS OF AIR ON THE BLOOD. 39 



number, being double the quantity given to man, and show, from that circum- 

 stance, the inimease circulation o( which they are the agents. A cruel and 

 almost incurable malady, that attends most horses at this part of the organ.** 

 of respiration, with many and variable symptoms, was alluded to higher up, 

 at sect. 36; and is what we term from those vessels, pulmonary consumption. 

 But then, it is clear, that the air which is so brought to effect those beneficial 

 changes upon the blood in the lungs, must be fit for the purpose : — that is to 

 say, it should be vital or atmospheric air, uncontaminated by any noxious 

 stench (as the ammoniacal smell of the stable, or the stench and smoke of 

 cities); no poisonous vapours (as burning brimstone, the gaseous fluid, smelt- 

 ing of minerals*), nor infectious effluvia (as of cesspools or stagnant waters, 

 producing fevers, glanders, &c.) can give to the animal's blood that healthy 

 vigour which was designed for his well-being; but, on the contrary, every de- 

 parture from purity, in the air he breathes, must be an approach towards dis- 

 easet. Yet, how constantly is this simplest law of nature transgressed ! And 

 '.vhat, in such a state of things, can be expected, but that the blood will assimi- 

 late in character with the kind of air the creature is compelled to inhale7t 

 Accordingly, we find in the domesticated horse, that previous disposition to 

 certain diseases which we endeavour to meet by correctives and repellants, 

 hut which by better treatment might have been prevented. Of these evils, 

 ibscess, or ulcer, is the most prolific, showing itself now on the head, at others on 

 the heels, under the varied denominations of poll-evil, quittor, fistula, &-c. ; 

 but more frequently attacking, and making the greatest ravages on the in- 

 ternal organs, where it is generally mistaken for the worms, and erroneously 

 treated with hot and burning remedies, when evidently a direct contrary prac- 

 tice would best assist nature in casting off" the evil.§ Ulcer upon the lungs, 

 as it produces a staring coat, is too frequently mistaken for worms, and if the 

 animal be not physicked and cordialled too much, a partial cure sometimes 

 takes place, though in what way it is carried off is most inscrutable ; but, upon 

 opening the dead subject, I have often noticed spots which had been corroded 

 and gangrenous, where the cure had been effected in this spontaneous manner. 

 As for ulcers upon the liver, also arising from the viscidity of the blood, if 



* Scarcely any truth is easier proved than this : Horses that are constantly kept in close 

 rtables, in large numbers together, very soon become unserviceable, by the constitution throw- 

 ing off some evil or other upon the surface ; as one proof whereof, thoae which are occasionally 

 placed in the under-ground stables, at the Swan with Two Necks, Lad-lane, show evident 

 Bigns of distress which subside upon being brought into the air. I hear from good authority, 

 Uiat at New Orleans, in North America, where the atmosphere "exhibits a blue misty appear- 

 ance," nothing is more common than a disease which affects the knee, hock or pastern joint, 

 with abscess, or near those parts with cancer, and the limb actually rols off. The like kind of 

 attacks were found formerly most common in Cornwall and in Wales, and are attributed by 

 ftU to the arsenical vapour of the copper mines being inhaled: they are, however, much less 

 frequent at the present day, owing to the higher state of cultivation to which the land has been 

 brought, and to the change of situation horses now enjoy. The free use of sweet oil is a good 

 preventive of this poison in human as well as in cattle medicine. 



t This is not the place for a finished dissenation on the communication of the glanders ; hut 

 I must observe, in illustration of the text, that horses which have eaten glanderous matters 

 without receiving the infection, no sooner smell it than they become diseased. 



t In cases of much sorrow or grief, our respiration is much increased ; and the presentimcnf 

 of death awaiting ihem, occasions all animals to take harmful substances into the lungs. Piga. 

 oxen, and even sheep, show signs of uneasiness, horror, or madness, at the effluvia of blood oi 

 their own kind : and I have found in each kind of animal, upon slitting the trachea as far as tha 

 bronchia, dust, dirt, or other rubbish, which they had snorted up in the last paroxysms of 

 despair. 



§ Four ounces of spirits of turpentine have been given with partial success: but such a dos« 

 must go near to destroy not only worms, but the horse into the bargain, whilst it is not very 

 tJear to me that the small worms we sometimes meet with are hurtful to the animal, but ar» 

 designed to act as a stimulus to the intestines : and, if the doctor mistakes for wonnssome nvm 

 •ertous disorder, the horse dies of this monstrous medicine, as sure as fate. 



