ON THE CECONOMY OF THE STABLE. 6^ 



ed as hard as oak, and nearly foundered, by 

 the heat and greafing difcipline of the livery 

 ftables, and very (hortly put them into a (late 

 of gradual amendment, by well ^ foaking their 

 hoofs, three times a day, with warm water. For 

 the naturally foft hoof, I know of no other 

 remedy than cold fpring water, or chamber- 

 lye, and perhaps an occafional flopping with 

 blue clay, having never found permanent be- 

 nefit from the ufe of any reftringent medica- 

 ments ; and the reader may recolle6l, that I 

 was troubled nine years with foft hoofs. It is, 

 however, neceffary to remark, that Solleyfel, 

 and feveral old writers, have given a caveat 

 againll the benumbing effe8; of any clay flop- ' 

 ping, to which the difcreet reader will pay 

 that degree of attention which he fuppofes it 

 may deferve. I will readrly allow, both that 

 it may be fometimes beneficial to anoint the 

 coronary rings with cooling liniment or fimple 

 unguent, and to ufe an occafional Hopping or 

 poultice, either emollient or reftringent ; but I 

 contend that the oil-bottle and brufli, the ftop- 

 ping-box, and its whole mafs of antiquated 

 combufiibles, whether tallow, fuet, or t — ds of 

 various kinds, (hould be inftantly fwept from 

 our (tables to the dunghill, where they might 

 poffibly do fome good, and would be out ol: 

 the way of doing any harm. 



I have, in the Firfl Volume, fpoken againft 

 VOL. II. r " any 



