PORES OF THE SKIN . — M OU LTl NG. 385 



PORES OF THE SKIN. 



Besides the openings already mentioned, through which proceeds the unctuous fluid 

 that supplies and softens the skin, there are others more numerous, by means of which 

 a vast quantity of aqueous fluid escapes, and perspiration is carried on. As in the 

 human being, this actually exists in a state of health and quietness, although imper- 

 ceptible; but when the animal is excited by exercise, or labours under some stages 

 of disease, it becomes visible, and appears in the form of drops. 



This process of perspiration is not, however, so far under the control of medicine as 

 in the human being. 



We are not aware of any drugs that will certainly produce it. Warm clothing 

 seems occasionally to effect it, but this is more in appearance than reality. The 

 insensible perspiration cannot escape through the mass of clothing, and assumes a 

 visible form. This, perhaps, is the case when sheep-skins are applied over the back 

 and loins in " locked jaw." They produce a good effect, acting as a warm poultice 

 over the part, and so contributing to relax the muscular spasms. There are, how- 

 ever, a few medicines, as antimony and sulphur, that have an evident and very con- 

 siderable effect on the skin in opening its pores and exciting its vessels to action. 



Of the existence of absorbent vessels on the skin, or those which take up some 

 fluid or substance, and convey it into the circulation, we have satisfactory proof. A 

 horse is even more easily salivated than the human being. Salivation has been pro- 

 duced by rubbing a splint with mercurial ointment, previous to blistering ; and a very 

 few d.-achms rubbed on the inside of the thighs, will probably produce a greater eflfect 

 than the practitioner desires. 



From some parts of the skin, there are peculiar secretions, as that of grease in the 

 heel, and mallenders in the knee. 



MOULTING. 



Twice in the year, the hair of the body of the horse is changed. The short, fine 

 3oat of summer would aff'ord little protection against the winter, and that of the winter 

 would be oppressive to the animal, if it appeared during the summer. The hair of the 

 mane and tail remains. The bulbous root of the hair does not die, but the pulpy 

 matter seems to be removed from the root of the hair, which, thus deprived of its 

 nourishment, perishes and drops off, and a new hair springs at its side from the same 

 bulb. The hair which is produced in the autumn, is evidently different from that 

 which grows in the spring; it is coarser, thicker, and not so glossy as- the other. As 

 moulting is a process extending over the whole of the skin, and requiring a very con- 

 siderable expenditure of vital power, the health of the animal is generally affected at 

 these times. That energy, and nervous and vital influence, which should support the 

 whole of the frame, is to a great degree determined to the skin, and the animal is lan- 

 guid, and unequal to much hard work. He perspires greatly with the least unusual 

 exertion, and if he is pressed beyond his strength, becomes seriously ill. 



The treatment which the groom in tliis case adopts, is most absurd and danorerous. 

 The horse, from the deranged distribution of vital power, is disposed to fever, or he 

 labours under a slight degree of fever, sufficiently indicated by the increased quick- 

 ness of pulse, redness of nose, and heat of mouth. The lassitude and want of appe- 

 tite which are the accompaniments of this febrile state, are mistaken for debility; and 

 cordials of various kinds, some of them exceedingly stimulating, are unsparingly 

 administered. At Inngth, with regard to the hunter, the racer, and even in the hack- 

 nay and the carriage horse, the scissors or the lamp are introduced, and a new method 

 is established of guirding against this periodical debility, setting at defiance the occa- 

 sional exposure to cold, and establishing a degree of health and strength previously 

 unknown. Friction may be allowed, to assist the falling off of the old hair, and to 

 loosen the cuticle for the appearance of the new hair, but it is somewhat more gently 

 applied than it used to be. The curry-comb is in a groat measure banished, and even 

 the brush is not applied too liard or too long. The old hair is not forced off before 

 the young hair is ready tn take its place. 



Nature adapts the coat to the climate and to the season. The Sheltie has one as 



long and thick as that of a boar; and, as the summer is short and cold in those 



northern islands, the coat is rough and shaggy during the whole of the year. In the 



southern parts of our country, the short, and light and glossy coat of summer gradu , 



33 2y 



