' 53 

 before it can get into the blood vessels ; but the eat- 

 ing of any thing requires some digestion before it can 

 invigorate much, because it principally depends on 

 bein"- received into the general mass of biood for its 

 effects. Nevertheless, it is not easv to draw exact 

 lines ; and all cordials, natural and ariiucial, act 

 probably in both these ways, but in different degrees. 

 Natural cordials may be said to be ik^ common food 

 and drink ; artiiicial cordials, such substances as we 

 m-ake use of to produce an invigorating effect on 

 the constitution. These artificial cordials are given 

 to horses very frequently, and, in many cases, very 

 improperly. A horse, as living a life of art, and tak- 

 ing, in some measure, artificial exercise, may some- 

 times require a cordial ; but to suppose that when- 

 ever a horse appears dull, or whenever he may have 

 done a little more ^\oik than usual, or whenever he 

 eats a little less, that in these cases he always wants 

 a cordial, is erroneous. 



But, on the other hand, there are cases in which 

 the judicious use of cordials may do much good. 

 When a horse has been remarkably fatigued from a 

 long journey, a very severe day's hunt, or several hard- 

 contested heats, the powers of the constitution may 

 Has so much, that either the horse refuses to eat at 

 all, or, if he eats, he has not strength to digest ; for the 

 circulation, which was kept up by the exercise above 

 its natural standard so long, now, as the exercise is 

 over, diminishes below the natural standard as much 

 as it has been before urged beyond it, and with the 

 circulation the whole powers of the constitution: 

 any thing, therefore, that artificially supports the 

 animal bv furuishing the stomach w'lWi the means of 



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