THE MODERN HORSE DOCTOR. 319 



it shrinks away with great fear. Sometimes the soreness is so 

 very excessive that it is dangerous to hastily approach the poor 

 brute ; he will kick and resist handling in every possible way in 

 which he can. The skin is dry, and the hair feels very dry and 

 harsh to the touch ; in some cases, a great number of elevations 

 "will be found upon the skin in the region of the neck, the breast, 

 upon the inner surfaces of the fore limbs; upon the haunches under 

 the abdomen ; and around the hind limbs, from the stifle joints to 

 the hoofs. The appetite is sometimes very much impaired, and the 

 pulse becomes increased in the number of its beats ; but, generally 

 speaking, neither the appetite nor the pulse is much affected. 

 Sometimes, again, it is associated with swelling of the limbs and 

 chapped heels, and also swelling of the sheath in horses. 



" I will here select a case which will furnish the reader a good 

 example of the form and conditions under which it is generally 

 presented : — 



"November 11, 1850. I was requested to attend upon a 

 pony, the property of J. Battles, Esq., solicitor, in this town. 



" History, fyc. — The animal in question is about twelve hands 

 two inches in height, of a black color, and well bred. About a 

 week ago it was clipped, and in the course of four or five days 

 after the operation, it was observed to shrink very much if the 

 groom or any one attempted to handle it; and this morning it 

 was found so much worse in the above respect, that I was 

 requested to attend it. 



" 1. The pulse and respirations are normal. 



" 2. The appetite is by no means good. It eats a little now 

 and then ; neither does it partake of much water. 



" 3. The dung is dry-looking and scanty, and the urine scanty 

 and thick. 



" 4. It is very much afraid of being handled. If I attempt to 

 lay my hands upon it, it retreats to the far end of the stall, and 

 gathers itself together. 



"5. Upon the skin in the region of the neck, also between the 

 inner surfaces of the fore limbs, upon the sides of the abdomen, 

 under the abdomen, upon the haunches, and around the hind 

 limbs, are a great number of hard elevations about the size of a 

 small pea. 



