THE NOBLE SCIENCE. 95 



a laced boot. Apply it hot, and immediately sew up the 

 linen bandao;e, there to leave it till the stitches of them- 

 selves wear out. It will generally last a month, some- 

 times longer ; it may be renewed in the course of the 

 summer, but must not be kept on too late, or after you 

 have begun to get the horse into condition ; as its adhe- 

 sive properties will cause an unsightly appearance for 

 some time after the linen has been removed ; but this 

 will all disappear with his change of coat. I have seen 

 battered legs become as fine as those of a colt by this 

 process. 



I have already dwelt, longer than I originally intended, 

 upon condition. Upon the management of the animals, 

 which are of equal consequence, either to the man who 

 holds them only as vehicles to the contemplation of the 

 noble science, or to him who regards them as its sole 

 enjoyment, I will only add the caution to take especial 

 care that the stables are properly ventilated. The 

 health of all animals depends greatly upon the kind of 

 air which they are constantly inhaling as their breath of 

 life. The different qualities of atmospheric gas have each 

 their respective effect upon the animal system. The 

 human blood is purified by the proportions of oxygen 

 contained in the fresh breeze as it is received into the 

 lungs ; elevation of spirit, and increase of vigour, are 

 the consequences of its healthful influence. In a close, 

 hot stable, a horse is living on impurity, added to which, 

 the ammonia, arising to a degree of pungency, of which 

 we are ourselves sensible upon entering such a stable 



