344 GROOMS. 



self. Obtain two bottles. Wrap one closely in several layers of calico ; 

 around the other fix only a single, tightly-fitting covering of the same 

 fabric. Saturate the cloths of both bottles with water ; also fill the in- 

 terior of each with the same liquid. Renew the moisture to the two 

 coverings as either becomes dry. After twelve hours, test the tempera- 

 tures of the contents poured from either bottle. That from the thickly- 

 covered (which may remain wet) vessel will be unchanged, or warmer 

 for its confinement ; that contained within the thinly-protected inclosure 

 (which possibly shall be quite dry) will be cold, very cold — so cold, that 

 in warm climates water is thus rendered a refreshing draught. Nay, the 

 hotter the medium to which the bottles have been exposed, the colder 

 will be the temperature of the thinly-coated liquid. 



Now, the stable is always a heated medium. The animal with a thick 

 coat is represented by the vessel with a thick incasement, the contents 

 of which are not chilled by the moisture which saturates its envelope. 

 The clipped steed is represented by the bottle thinly enfolded, the liquid 

 within which became cold. But, it may be urged, the clipped horse is 

 never moist. Then perspiration must be checked, and fever must be 

 present ; for, during health' the pores of the skin are never inactive. 

 Where the coat is removed, superficial perspiration, accompanied with 

 constant evaporation, must always be taking place. Where the hair is 

 thick, moisture naturally accumulates; because the covering prevents 

 superficial evaporation, and thereby checks the operating cause of inter- 

 nal frigidity. 



For the reasons explained by the above experiment, horses which 

 have been clipped or singed are thereby rendered more susceptible to 

 many terrible disorders. Any internal organ may be acutely attacked; 

 because the perspiration has, by exposure of the skin, been thrown back 

 upon the system. Numerous hunters (which animals are always clipped) 

 fail, at the beginning of the season, from this cause. Nor can the author 

 comprehend the purpose served by the prevailing custom, excepting the 

 propitiation of a servant's humor. It is said, the animal moves so much 

 more nimbly after the long coat has been removed. This may be the 

 fact, though the author has hitherto seen no such marked change follow 

 the operation as will allow him to deliberately corroborate the general 

 assertion. 



Moreover, let the servant, when he notices the animals for the first 

 time in the morning, observe the breathing of the quadrupeds. The 

 building has been closely shut for the entire night, and the impure 

 atmosphere will necessarily excite the respiration. Now, it may not be 

 exactly in accordance with the groom's notions, but scientific men have 

 long known the skin and the lungs to be joined in one and the same 



