THE CHEST. 23 



with a quick hand, will have far the best chance of keep- 

 ing a stumbling horse on his feet. He will then de- 

 pend on his own vigilance and exertion, in the same 

 way as he would if he were running at freedom through 

 a field. The head and neck of every horse should be 

 raised just into that position which will comport with 

 the exact balancing of all the other parts of the same 

 animal. The poor creature will then be permitted to 

 do his work with gracefulness and ease, and the feel- 

 ings of the on-looker will not be harassed by the com- 

 passion which he must feel for a noble animal that is 

 constrained to assimie an unnatural and intensely pain- 

 ful attitude, 



THE CHEST. 



The blood, which is circulated by the heart, and is 

 purified and vitalized by the reception of atmospheric air 

 in its passage through the lungs, is the only source from 

 whence the different parts of the body can derive nu- 

 trition. Hence it becomes a matter of vital consequence, 

 that the cavity of the chest should be of such a shape 

 and size as to afford perfect accommodation for its 

 precious contents — the heart and lungs. In a state of 

 quiescence, the blood circulates slowly, and respiration 

 is performed with ease ; but an increased exertion is 

 invariably accompanied, in a direct ratio, by a quicker 

 breathing, and a more rapid transmission of the vital 

 fluid, in order to make up, by the process of nutrition. 



