t^c The Farrier V New Guide. Ch. iXXXli. 



it! common with all other Swellings, either a Vifcidity an(i 

 Thicknefs of the Juices, or a Relaxation of the Veflels in 

 which thele Juices flow, or both. 



But if we examine more particularly into the Matter, 

 we (hall find, that befides thefe, there are other Circum- 

 ftanccs which conduce very much to the Swelling, and that 

 is, the Situation and Make of the Legs. As to their Make, 

 w^e h.n'e already oblerv'd, that they are very much com- 

 pos'd of Nerves and Sinews, whofe Vcilels are fo fmall, and 

 laid fo clofe together, that the Fluids contain'd in them 

 may very eafily become obllruded ; and by their Situation, 

 they are the mod dependent Members of the whole Bo- 

 dy ; whereby, according to the Doftrine of Circulation, 

 all the Juices that are to be returned in the Mais of Blood 

 muft afcend upwards in the Veins, which, in thofe Parts, 

 have little or nothing to help their Progrefs but the Vibra- 

 tions and Shakings of the Arteries, together with the muf- 

 cular Motion. Whereas on the other Hand, the arterial 

 Fluid is conilantly forwarded into the Limbs, not only by 

 its Defcent, but by its continual Expullion from the Heart ; 

 and therefore, when once the Blood is vitiated, and theV'ef- 

 fels in the Limbs relaxed and weakened, a Swelling mull: of 

 Confequence be expeded, becaufe a greater Quantity of 

 Fluid is carried downward by the Arteries, than in that 

 Cafe can be returned by the Veins. 



And this is agreeable to all the common Accidents and 

 Caufes that ufually bring on the Diftemper, as Wounds, 

 Bruifes, hard and immoderate Riding, coming off a Jour- 

 ney, or from Grafs, to ftand in a Stable, full Feeding 

 without due Exercife, Colds, and Surfeits, Debility and 

 Weaknefs ; and in Hne, whatever may any wife relax and 

 weaken the Tone of the Fibres ; and if we examine into 

 thefe more particularly, we Ihall find, that according to the 

 foregoing Theory, ail of them may very naturally bring on 

 the Greafe. 



For, in ihtfirji Place, albeit a Wound or Bruife, or other 

 outward Accident in the dependent Parts, is ieldom attend- 

 ed with any uncommon Symptoms, if the Horfe be other- 

 wife Ibund, and that due Care is taken in the Beginning ; 

 yet, if a Horfe in tiiefe Circumltances be ncgledted, or his 

 iilood be vitiated, it will be apt to bring a Swelling into 

 the Legs, as all Pain is a Stimulus which draws a more 

 than ordinary Flux of Humours to the Part affedted ; and 

 if the Hurt be near any Joint, \5^c. it caufes fuch a Stiff- 

 nefs and aching, that lac Horfe becomes exceeding lame, 



and 



