266 MANUAL OF MODERN FARRIERY 



size in the nose, for the secretion or mucus ; and the 

 tubes of the ears have many of them for the passage 

 of the waxy matter ; and all the portions of the skin 

 which are liable to friction are numerously provided 

 with them, which preserves it in a soft and pliable 

 condition, and produces that greasiness of feel which 

 is constantly kept up in the skin. 



This process of perspiration in the horse cannot 

 be so controlled by the use of medicine as in the 

 human being. The visible perspiration can only be 

 increased in a limited degree in the horse, although 

 we can in some measure lessen profuse perspirations 

 which accompany the moult, disease, or want of 

 condition. 



The visible perspiration, as far as we know, 

 cannot be produced by any kind of medicine. Anti- 

 mony and sulphur, hovv^ever, have considerable effect 

 in opening the pores, and in a certain degree exciting 

 the vessels to action. 



There can be little doubt but the skin is furnished 

 with absorbent vessels, which take in any substance in 

 a fluid state and conduct it into the circulation. We 

 have strong proofs of this in the horse being more 

 easily salivated than man himself, as we have known a 

 horse to be salivated by rubbing a splint with mer- 

 curial ointment. 



OF THE HAIR. 



The hair of the horse is of two qualities : the one 

 covering the entire surface of the skin, called its coat, 

 and which is of a fine soft material ; and the other, 

 which invests the ridge of the neck, crown of the head, 

 and forms the tail, of a coarser texture, and much 

 lengthened. The foretop appears only formed as an 

 ornament ; while the mane is a protection to the neck 



