CLIPPING 87 



mud that may have fallen on the coat. Our best authori- 

 ties are unanimous in condemning the custom of washing 

 the animal. Both cracked heels and mud-fever — a form 

 of inflammation of the skin, which extends more or less 

 over the legs, and sometimes over the lower surface of the 

 abdomen — are often caused by this practice. Mud-fever 

 is a common complaint in England, though rare in India. 



We find from experience that the external application 

 of warm water, especially to the legs and feet, is still more 

 objectionable than that of cold. This is chiefly due to the 

 fact that it more readily removes the oil which keeps the 

 skin soft, and is more efficient in loosening the layers of 

 scales which serve to protect the true skin from irritation 

 by external objects. The heat of the warm water may 

 also stimulate the oil-glands, which lie deep in the true 

 skin, to an abnormal degree of activity. Subsequent cold, 

 brought on by evaporation or by a current of air, may 

 cause contraction of the superficial extremities of the oil- 

 tubes, so that the exit of the fluid may become obstructed 

 —a state that will probably be followed by inflammation, 

 as may be evinced by " cracked heels," " grease," or " mud- 

 fever." 



Clipping. — The presence of a thick covering of hair is 

 analogous, in the case of a man, to the wearing of a warm 

 overcoat, which, however suitable it would be to protect 

 the body while in a state of comparative rest from the 

 inclemency of the weather, would be a distressing burden 

 to one who had to undergo severe muscular exertion. 

 Applying the simile of a man taking off his great-coat 

 when he has to, say, run, row, or cycle, and putting it on 

 so as to avoid the ill effects of chill when the exercise is 



