OBJECTIONS TO WASHING HOUSES. 75 



dirt was then dry, and was brushed off; whilst his 

 best horses (out on job in gentlemen's carriages), which 

 came in early and had their legs washed, dressed, band- 

 aged, and otherwise made comfortable, were all affected 

 with sore legs." 



Mr. Broad, of Bath, alluding to the same disease, states, 

 " I have never known it to occur when the mud has been 

 allowed to become dry, and then well brushed off, with- 

 out the application of water." 



The following extract is from an editorial article which 

 appeared in The Field of 25th December, 1875: "In 

 many large establishments, where ' cracked heels ' and 

 ' grease ' were constantly present among the horses 

 while the system of washing the legs with warm or cold 

 water, was in vogue, a discontinuance of the practice of 

 washing has been followed by the entire cessation of 

 these annoying diseases." 



The use of warm water, especially to the legs and feet, 

 is still more objectionable than that of cold, for the heat 

 is very apt to stimulate the oil glands, which lie deep in 

 the true skin, to an abnormal degree of activity, while 

 subsequent cold, brought on by evaporation, or by a cur- 

 rent of air, may cause contraction of the superficial extre- 

 mities of the oil tubes, so that the exit of the fluid may 

 become obstructed ; a state that will probably be followed 

 by inflammation, as may be evinced by " cracked heels," 

 "grease," or "mud-fever." 



Clipping. The presence of a thick covering of hair will 

 check the free evaporation of perspiration from the skin ; 

 hence the horse that is intended for fast work, should, 

 if his coat be long, have it clipped. If he be used in 



