lIIDE-r.OUND. 349 



HIDE-BOUND. 



This is not so mucli a diminution of tlie cellular or fatty substance 

 between the skin and the muscles beneath, as it is an alteration in the skin 

 itself. It is a hardness and unyieldingness of the skin, from the want of 

 the oily matter on its surface and in its substance. It is the difference that 

 is presented to the feeling by well-curried and supple leather, and that 

 which has become diy and unyielding. 



The surface of the skin becoming dry and hard, the scales of the cuticle 

 are no longer penetrated by the hair, but, separating themselves in eveiy 

 direction, give that peculiar roughness to the coat which accompanies 

 want of condition. It betokens impaired function of the vessels every- 

 where, and particularly those of the stomach and bowels. Hide-bound is 

 not so much a disease as a symptom of disease, and particularly of the 

 digestive organs ; and our remedies must be applied not so much to the 

 skin — although we have, in friction and in warmth, most valuable agents 

 in producing a healthy condition of the integuments — as to the cause of 

 the hide-bound, and the state of the constitution generally. Every disease 

 that can affect the general system may produce this derangement of the 

 functions of the skin. Glanders, when become constitutional, is strongly 

 indicated by the unthrifty appearance of the coat. Chronic cough, grease, 

 farcy, and founder, are accompanied by hide-bound ; and diet too sparing, 

 and not adequate to the work exacted, is an unfailing source of it. If the 

 cause is removed, the effect will cease. 



Should the cause be obscure, as it frequently is — should the horse wear 

 an unthrifty coat, and his hide cling to his ribs, without any apparent 

 disease, we shall generally be warranted in tracing it to sympathy with 

 the actual, although not demonstrable, suspension of some important 

 secretion of function, either of the ahmentary canal or the respiratory 

 functions. A few mashes, and a mild dose of physic, are first indicated, 

 and, simple as they appear to be, they often have a very beneficial effect. 

 The regular action of the bowels being re-established, that of all the 

 organs of the frame will speedily follow. If the horse cannot be spared 

 for physic, alteratives may be administered. There is no better alterative 

 for hide-bound and an uuthi'ifty coat, than that which is in common use, 

 levigated antimony, nitre, and sulphur. The peculiar effect of the 

 antimony and sulphur, and electric influence on the skin, with that of the 

 sulphur on the bowels, and of the nitre on the urinary organs, will be 

 here advantageously combined. 



Should the horse not feed well, and there is no indication of fever, a 

 slight tonic may be added, as gentian, or ginger ; but in the majority of 

 cases attended by loss of condition, and an unthi'ifty coat, and hide-bound, 

 tonics and aromatics should be carefully avoided. 



The cause of the impaired action of the vessels being removed, the 

 powers of nature will generally be sufiicient, and had better be left to 

 themselves. 



Friction may be employed with advantage in the removal of hide-bound. 

 It has repeatedly been shown that this is one of the most efiicacious instru- 

 ments we can use to call into exercise the suspended energies either of the 

 absorbent or secreting vessels. Warmth may likewise be had recourse 

 to — not warmth of stable, which has been sho^^^l to be so injurious, but 

 warmth arising from exercise, and the salutary, although inexplicable, 

 influence of clipping and singeing. 



