iOi CAUSE OF HIDE-BOUND. [BOOK II. 



diaphoretics, the stimulating nature whereof, as is 

 usual in all such attempts, had thus defeated itself. 

 See pages 77, 131, 145, 150, 192, 210, in which 

 partial hide-bound is shewn to be symptomatic of 

 other disorders. 



Horses that are so affected with internal tumours, 

 are they which become distressed easily, though in 

 good apparent health, upon being pushed on a 

 journey, or at a heavy drag, particularly when the 

 belly is distended. Thus the cause of hide-bound 

 exists long before we can perceive it, and is the 

 reason why we recommend the preparation of ar- 

 senic, as a tonic, previous to administering the sweat- 

 ing remedies. The appearance of hide- bound is 

 frequently ascribed to the worms, botts, &c. ; but 

 in all those subjects examined by us, amounting to 

 half a score or more, no worms were to be found 

 of any consequence, for it would be ridiculous to 

 talk of two or three of those stray insects occasion- 

 ing such an extensive disorder, so remote from the 

 seat of their supposed ravages. What is very well 

 worth remarking (though such a thing is not very 

 singular), is, that the writer who has most lustily 

 cried out " Worms, worms !" upon every occasion 

 of disordered skin and staring coat, has recently 

 suggested that after all, worms are necessary to the 

 horse's digestion ; and the gentleman seems to think 

 that these insects act upon the horse's stomach 

 much in the same manner as pepper on the stomachs 

 of mankind ! Thus he blows hot and cold with the 

 same breath, or rather worms and pepper with the 



