THE NECK, THE HEAD, ETC. 131 



the angles of the jaws, especially when these lie too 

 close together, and the rider or driver has attempted to 

 force a certain position, either by the use of severe bits, 

 or, what is still worse, a combination of these with the 

 bearing-rein in harness. 



If such a state of things be overlooked or neglected, 

 very serious consequences may arise. The forced 

 pressure of the jaw-bone on these glands is sometimes 

 perfectly excruciating to the animal, and it has recourse, 

 to the great astonishment of its ignorant rider or driver, 

 to all sorts of expedients to get rid of the intolerable 

 pain. It will refuse its work, or run away, or throw 

 itself down, or rear up, or do anything or everything in 

 its desperation, and the brute on its back or on the 

 coach-box knows no other remedy for it than " to flog 

 the sulk out of him," whereas the whole thing is 

 probably the result of bad bitting and bridling.* 



Many young horses, too, have been prematurely 

 blinded by undue pressure on the glands in question, 

 between which and the eye there is an intimate con- 

 nection, both by the absorbent vessels and the nerves. 

 We sometimes find the glands affected on both sides, 

 and just as frequently only on one. The horse will in 

 this case exhibit what may be termed one-sided restive - 

 ness, bending and cantering perfectly willingly on the 

 one hand, and refusing more or less obstinately on the 

 other. We can perfectly recollect the case of a remount 

 where both horse and rider, excellent tempered, willing 

 creatures, had been tortured for months, until casually 



* Why should not corporal punishment be inflicted on those 

 who disgrace themselves and our common humanity by ill- 

 treating animals ? It would be the nearest possible approach to 

 retributive justice, and much more effectual than fine or im- 

 prisonment. 



