398 DADDS VETERINARY MEDICINE AND SURGERY. 



the inoide of the thighs, flanks, chest, and face, where the skin h 

 not so thick, and more sensitive than some other regions of th« 

 body. Some horses, especially those of a strongly-marke<l, nervous 

 temperament, have very sensitive skins, and can not even bear :> 

 Hy to light on their bodies without evincing signs of pain anu 

 irritation. On such the curry-comb should be used gently and 

 in a spirit of mercy. There are other horses, however, especially 

 those of the lymphatic temperarient, and whose skins are less 

 sensitive, who can bear the action of the ourry-eomb without 

 much flinching, and it is the duty of a merciful man to consider 

 this matter when cleaning a horse. Thorougiibred horses, which 

 include a vast number of the sanguine temperament, have a verv 

 active circulation over the whole surface of the body, and thia 

 vast circulation, through the superficial vessels, argues a delicate 

 sense of touch. To them the curry-comb, unless used very gently, 

 is severe torture. 



Horses and Cattle should have a Supply of 



Pure Water. 



Although few persons think it worth while to j>ay much atten- 

 tion to this department of husbandry, yet a little reflection will 

 convince any reasonable person of the value and importance of 

 furnishing animals with a constant supply of pure water. Pure, 

 cool water is said to be a God-send to a thirst)' throat ; and as ani- 

 mals are apt to have thirsty throats, they should be permitted to 

 enjoy a luxury which costs but a trifle, and operates very favora- 

 bly in promoting their health. All classes of domestic animals 

 have as great an aversion to impure, filthy water as ourselves, and 

 the former will often turn away with disgust from the filthy stuff 

 called water which is often found in water-troughs on the road- 

 side, and within the precincLs of the barn and in some pastures. 

 The common, stagnated pond-water, which many poor creatures 

 are compelled to imbibe, is often the exciting cause of disease, 

 especially in the Western States, where decayed vegetable matter 

 abounds. 



Pure water will never injure an animal. I do not believe the 

 swnes which are told about horses becoming foundered in conse- 

 uuence of drinking pure water. In a majority of cases, Mr. Fast- 

 man is blameable. He has probably either overdriven or over- 



