CHAP. II.] FOOD OF THE HORSE. 131 



more. But, when matters obnoxious in their na- 

 ture, and possessing strong powers and effects, are 

 being administered to the horse, it seems but fair 

 to examine whether such things are likely to agree 

 with his common nutriment, with the blood that 

 is made from it, or with his constitution, his habits, 

 or the tasks he has to perform. Or whether, on 

 the other hand, they do not prove destructive of the 

 food itself, of the vessels that contain it, and of 

 those which draw up its finer particles, that are to 

 be converted into blood. 



Let him who practises by violent means consider 

 a moment the natural structure, formation, and func- 

 tions of the organs on which his medicines are 

 destined to act, and compare their altered state, 

 that has been brought about by reason of the treat- 

 ment the animal has received at his hands. Some 

 protection, doubtless, is afforded by nature, (as if 

 prescient of the race of farriers), in the secretion of 

 the fluid so often mentioned, which defends the 

 several organs against ordinary injuries ; but these 

 are often found insufficient in quantity (notwith- 

 standing the supply which may be drawn by effusion 

 from other parts of the body), and. the frequent 

 repetition of the monstrous mixtures of the doctor's 

 skill-less art, ultimately effects its purpose in de- 

 stroying the tone of the fine vessels just alluded to 

 (the lacteals), and then the symptomatic disease of 

 the skin, called hidebound, follows, as a natural 

 consequence. 



46. The stomach is a bag, or pouch, with two 



g6 



