3VG THE MODERN HORSE DOCTOR. 



while the one upon the neck may hang loose, after which close 

 the box, and leave the animal alone for three or four hours, 

 or even more : it may always be known, however, when the 

 cloths have been on long enough, by simply passing the hand 

 under them and feeling the state of the skin ; and if the skin be 

 wet and hot, do not disturb them ; but if the skin be dry, or nearly 

 so, and the linen cloths are also dry, or in a dryish state, remove 

 the whole at once, and put upon the patient fresh, dry, comfort- 

 able clothing ; the quantity of such clothing necessary will, of 

 course, depend upon the season of the year, and the temperature 

 of the weather. After the cloths are removed, I sometimes have 

 the skin rapidly and lightly sponged over with cold water, and 

 theri three or four men are set vigorously to work with their 

 bare hands to rub it perfectly dry ere I apply the clean clothing. 

 It is seldom that I find it necessary to apply the wet sheets 

 above once or twice before an improvement becomes rapidly 

 visible ; and when once such improvement has set in, then assist 

 it with such remedies as may answer best to the phenomena, for 

 it must be borne in mind that the wet sheet is a very weaken- 

 ing agent if applied too frequently." 



DISINFECTION OF STABLES. 



The cheapest and perhaps the best stable disinfectants are 

 quicklime, chloride of lime and of soda, and pulverized charcoal. 

 Many of our horsemen have yet to learn that the health of their 

 horses depends, in a great measure, on a proper supply of pure, 

 uncontaminated atmospheric air: when they are convinced of this 

 fact, we may expect a reform. It is a universal custom, in this 

 city, to collect all stable sweepings denominated manure, and to 

 deposit them in a reservoir beneath the stable floor : this is 

 carted off from the city about once a week. In the summer 

 months, the stench arising from this semi-putrid mass is almost 

 intolerable. It is not, however, in all cases a matter of choice, 

 but one of necessity ; for in a crowded city, like Boston, the evil 

 is not easy to remedy. Yet something can be done to conduct 

 the impure emanations from the stable into the surrounding at- 

 mosphere, where it would be comparatively harmless. In this 



