148 THE EXTERIOR OF THE HORSE. 



CHAPTER III. 



INFERIOR FACE OF THE BODY. 



A. The Xiphoid Region. 



Situation; Limits; Anatomical Base. The xiphoid re- 

 gion corresponds to the inferior part of the sternum and the xiphoid 

 cartilage (a tract whose approaches are flattened from above to below), 

 at the level of which usually passes the girth of the saddle and the belly- 

 band, when the thorax is properly suspended between the anterior mem- 

 bers and the abdomen has a good conformation. If the withers are 

 low or elevated, or the abdomen like that of the greyhound, these bands 

 must be carried either forward or backward of their proper place. It 

 is then understood without difficulty that the situation of the latter 

 must be changed according to the circumstances. 



Limited anteriorly by the inter-axilla, posteriorly and on the sides 

 by the abdomen and the ribs, and laterally by the elbow and the ribs, 

 this region is more or less plainly marked, according to the subject, 

 by a slight concavity which insensibly passes into the neighboring 

 regions, and especially into the abdomen. It is of no great interest 

 with respect to the information which it furnishes, but is, nevertheless, 

 the seat of blemishes as well as of wounds. 



The blemishes are excoriations, cicatrices of variable sizes, and traces of 

 revulsives and blisters, recent or remote, applied for therapeutic purposes in 

 serious diseases of the respiratory organs. The diseases of the thoracic cavity 

 which require the employment of such means may not leave any permanent 

 alteration of the organs affected, but, at the same time, it is necessary to examine 

 the thoracic organs carefully, as well as the movements of the flank. 



The wounds are generally caused by a harness which is misfitting or 

 improperly applied. In saddle-horses, a girth whose tension is severe will, if 

 it be too stiff, too wide, soiled, or exert unequal pressure, irritate the skin and 

 render it extremely painful. It is then necessary to use one which is narrower, 

 or made of softer material, as cotton, or lined with silk. In draught-horses the 

 same wounds are caused by the pinching of the skin between the girth and the 

 belly-band. These denudations disappear never to return when use is made of 

 one wide girth, upon which one more narrow is fastened by means of two keeps. 



Other means, such as sheepskin with the wool on, and soft pads, are insuffi- 

 cient, irritating, and difficult to keep clean. 



