Book VII. DISEASES OF THE HORSE. 977 



linear indentations, to which about five hundred semi-cartilaginous leaves are attached. Each of these is 

 receh'ed between two of the horny lamella 1 which line the interior of the horny hoof: and when it is 

 considered what a vast surface of attachment is formed by these means, the strength of the union will 

 not be wondered at. No common violence can separate these parts, and their use, as so many springs to 

 support the actions of an animal, at once weighty, strong, and extremely agile, must be apparent The 

 vessels and nerves of the foot are derived from the metacarpal arteries, veins, and nerves, which pass 

 behind the pastern, when the main trunks divide to proceed to each side of the foot, and are ramified 

 from thence throughout. It is a division of the metacarpal nerve on each side of the lesser pastern, or of 

 the larger, as occasion suits, which forms the nerve operation, now in vogue as a remedy for founder. 



Sect. V. Diseases of the Horse- 



6422. The diseases of the horse are as numerous and as important as his complicated structure, and the arti. 

 ficial state of his present mode of life, would lead one to expect. Until of late the treatment of these 

 diseases was confined to the hands of ignorant farriers, presumptive grooms, or shoeing smiths ; and the 

 fate of the animals was commensurate with the wretched treatment they were subjected to. The esta- 

 blishment of a school for the veterinary art has disseminated an improved practice, and spread improved 

 practitioners throughout the country ; and we would earnestly recommend an application to one of esta. 

 Wished reputation in all cases of difficulty and danger. But as it is not always that such a one is within 

 reach, to enable the agriculturist to have in his own hands the means of informing himself, or of being a 

 check on others, we submit a concise view of the diseases of the head, neck, trunk, and extremities, 

 preceded by some general observations. 



Subsect. 1. General Remarks on the healthy and diseased State of the Horse. 



6423. Condition of horses. Being in condition, in stable language, signifies not only perfect health in. 

 ternally, but such an appearance externally as the philosopher would call unnatural, or at least artificial ; 

 while the amateur considers it as an essential requisite to the other qualities of the horse. This external 

 condition is denoted by a sleek, short, shining coat, with a degree of flesh neither bordering on fatness 

 nor emaciation. Even in this sense of the term, condition must be varied according to the uses of the 

 animal. In the cart horse, provided there be sleekness of coat, looseness of hide, sound wind, freedom 

 from grease or swelled legs, with good digestion ; a fulness and rotundity of bulk, instead of detracting 

 from his beauty or impeding his exertions, will add to the one and assist the other. In the coach horse, 

 the hackney, the hunter, and the racer, a different condition is expected, varying in different degrees from 

 that of the cart horse. In both cart horse and racer, it is equally necessary that the various internal organs 

 should be in a state to act uninterruptedly for the benefit of the whole ; but, in addition to this, it is 

 necessary to the racer, that the greatest possible quantity of animal fibre should be condensed into the 

 smallest possible bulk ; and that the absorption of all useless fat and other interstitial matter should be 

 promoted by every possible means, as essentially necessary to unite lightness of body with full strength 

 and elasticity. It is in the attempts to produce such a state in its full perfection, that all the secrets of 

 training consist: but whether a total departure from natural rules, by unnatural heat, deprivation of 

 light, stimulating food, restraint from water, and excessive clothing, are best calculated to promote it, 

 admits of much doubt ; and it is to be observed, that the dawn of reason and science appears to be shill- 

 ing through the crevices of these darkened casements; for even at Newmarket the system has lately 

 much relaxed from its artificial rigour. 



6424. To bring a horse into condition, not only should the purposes he is intended for be taken into 

 account, but also his previous state. If he be taken up from grass with much flesh on him, it is evident 

 that what is required is, to remove the soft interstitial matter it may be supposed he has gained by green 

 food, and to replace it by hard flesh ; and also to produce a sleekness of coat and beauty of appearance. 

 To accomplish these ends, the horse should be accustomed to clothing and the full heat of the stable by 

 degrees only; and also by degrees only to the meditated change of food, which is best done by mashes. 

 In two or tliree days a mild dose of physic may be given, during all which moderate exercise only should 

 be allowed, as walking, but which may be continued two hours at a time. After the physic has set, begin 

 to dress his coat, increase his exercise and his food, and accustom him to an increase of warmth. In four 

 or five days' time again mash him for two days, and give a second dose of physic, a very little stronger 

 than the first. (6544.) After this, still further increase his warmth, his exercise, and his food, by which 

 his belly will be taken up, his flesh will harden, and his coat will begin to fall. A third dose of physic, 

 or urine balls, &a, are only necessary in the training of hunters, &c, and even in these, a gradual increase 

 of exercise, rather long continued than violent, with proper food, will effect the end, if not so quickly, 

 more beneficially to the animal. To bring a lean horse into condition, a somewhat different plan should 

 be pursued. If from grass, still mash him for a day or two, by no means stint him in his water, and with 

 his mash let corn be also soaked. If corn be speared or malted, it will produce flesh sooner. But even 

 here, give the horse moderate walking exercise, and if he be not too much reduced, add a mild dose of 

 physic to prevent his heels flving, or his getting hide-bound by the increased food ; but if great emaciation 

 forbid the physic, give him nightly an alterative. ( Vet. Pharm. 6550. No. 1.) As his appearance improves, 

 gradually harden his food and increase his exercise. 



6425. Diseased condition of horses. What has been already said relates to that alteration from one state 

 to another, neither being an unhealthv one, which custom has rendered necessary ; thus a man in train- 

 ing for running or fighting, and a man out of training, are both considered equally healthy. But there 

 are circumstances that produce a morbid state of condition, different from all these. It is common to 

 hear persons say, " My horse is sadly out of condition ; and I cannot tell either what is the matter with 

 him, or how to get him into better case." Various are the causes that may produce this: a sudden 

 alteration of the food or temperature, or of habits altogether, may become a cause. Removing a horse 

 from grass to a heated stable, full feeding, and hard exercise, will often do it : therefore these changes 

 should always be gradual. Bad food, as mow-burnt hay, musty oats, beans, &c, likewise mineral waters, 

 foul air, &c , are frequent causes. Diabetes, or profuse staling, is often brought on by these means, and 

 the condition of the horse becomes greatly reduced. It is requisite, therefore, to enquire whether any 

 of these errors are in existence, and to immediately remove them : but it often happens that the stomach 

 has become relaxed and the hide become bound; neither of which readily remove, even though the 

 original evil may be amended. When the relaxed stomach has produced lampas, treat the mouth as 

 described under that disease (6446.) ; but the stomach itself must be principally attended to. First mash 

 and give a dose of physic ; alter it has set, commence the treatment, if the horse be ot a full habit, by a 

 moderate bleeding and a nightly alterative {let. Pharm. 6550. No. 1. or 2.) But it he be not in full, but 

 in low flesh, commence by a daily tonic ( Vet. Pharm. 6551. No. 1. or 2.), which will gradually remove the 

 swelling within the mouth, and loosen the hide. A sudden cold applied to the skin often brings on a 

 want of condition with surfeit. In which cases bleeding, nightly alteratives (Vet. Pharm. 6.u0. No. 1. or Z) 

 with or without an assistant dose of physic, as the habit of the horse may require, constitute the proper 

 treatment. Worms form another cause of morbid condition, which are to be removed as described. (6478.) 



6551. No. 1. or 2.) It will be only necessary to add, that in considering the state ol a horse s condition, 



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