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CHAPTER VI. 

 DISEASES OF THE SKIN. 



A moderate knowledge of the action of the vessels of 

 the skin is indispensable to all persons having the care 

 of horses of value, for by it alone can the unprofessional 

 man determine the state of the horse's health committed 

 to his charge. The bloom on a horse's skin is like the 

 ruddy and healthful complexion of the human being, 

 and is of equal importance. 



It will be necessary, then, to make some mention of 

 the anatomy of the skin, in order that the treatment 

 and nature of the diseases to which it is subject may 

 be fully comprehended. 



The skin is composed of three parts, says Mr. Per- 

 cival, differing in appearance, texture, and organisation 

 from each other. 



The cutis or real skin ( is of a fibrous texture, tough 

 but supple, elastic, very vascular, and highly sensitive. 

 . . . The skin abounds with absorbents. In places 

 where it is thin, the superficial lymphatics, which are 

 supposed to take their origin from its areola? or pores, 

 are comparatively large, and their trunks in the sub- 

 cutaneous tissue are readily found and injected. 



