INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER. 35 



quitted himfelf with that ability, which we had 

 a right to expect, from a mafter of his profef- 

 fion, and, at the fame time, a man of found 

 underftanding, and good judgment. If my 

 memory ferve me faithfully, he was the firft 

 of our writers who taught — that unftuous and 

 greafy applications, by clofing up the pores, 

 and preventing the neceffary emiflion of the 

 perfpirable fluid, really impeded, in place of 

 promoting, the growth of ungular and horny 

 fubftances ; and who recommended, in lieu 

 thereof, that Horfes hoofs mould be flopped 

 with clay, and wafhed with water. Without 

 being intirely convinced of the truth of the 

 propofition, refpecling unctuous applications 

 (on which I fhall explain myfelf in proper 

 place) I can very fafely recommend the water 

 in all cafes, and in mofl the clay, from my 

 own experience. 



Over and above the writers already adverted 

 to, a number of gentlemen of the profeflion of 

 furgery, fmce the days of Gibfon and Bracken, 

 whofe names I cannot immediately recollect., 

 have publifhed treatifes on farriery ; with very 

 laudable intentions, no doubt, for the promotion 

 of veterinary knowledge; but although their 

 feveral works contain now and then a ufeful 

 remark of their own, yet their obligations to 

 the original writers are fo extenfive, as to ren- 

 der farther obfervation unneceflary. That 



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