THE SKIN AND ITS DISEASES. 475 



the back and loins, and down the yet more powerful muscles of the quartere ; 

 but in other places it is loosely attached, that it may not interfere with the mo- 

 tions of the animal. About the brisket, and within the arms and at the flanks, 

 it hangs even in folds. 



Of its strength we have abundant proof, both in the living and dead animal. 

 Its fibres are interlaced in a most curious and intricate manner, so as, when 

 living, to be scarcely lacerable, and converted into leather after death. 



It is, while the animal is alive, one of the most elastic bodies with which we 

 are acquainted. It not only perfectly adapts itself to the slow growth or 

 decrease of the body, and appears equally to fit, whether the horse is in the 

 plumpest condition or reduced to a skeleton ; but, when a portion of it is 

 distended to an extraordinary degree, in the most powerful action of the 

 muscles, it, in a moment, again contracts to its usual dimensions. 



It is principally indebted for this elasticity to almost innumerable minute 

 glands which pour out an oily fluid that softens and supples it. When the 

 horse is in health, and every organ discharges its proper functions, a certain 

 quantity of this unctuous matter is spread over the surface of the skin, and is 

 contained in all the pores that penetrate its substance, and the skin becomes pliable, 

 easily raised from the texture beneath, and presenting that peculiar yielding 

 softness and elasticity which experience has proved to be the best proofs of the 

 condition, or, in other words, the general health of the animal. Then, too, from 

 the oiliness and softness of the skin, the hair lies in its natural and proper direc- 

 tion, and is smooth and glossy. When the system is deranged, and especially 

 the digestive system, and the vessels concerned in the nourishment of the animal 

 feebly act, those of the skin evidently sympathize. This oily secretion is 

 no more thrown out; the skin loses its pliancy; it seems to cling to the animal, 

 and we have that peculiar appearance which we call hide-bound. This, 

 however, requires attentive consideration. 



We observe a horse in the summer. We find him with a thin smooth glossy coat, 

 and his extremities clean and free almost from a single rough or misplaced hair. 

 We meet with him again towards the winter, when the thermometer has fallen 

 almost or quite to the freezing point, and we scarcely recognize him in hi3 thick, 

 rough, coarse, colourless coat, and his legs enveloped in long shaggy hair. The 

 health of the horse is, to a certain degree, deranged. He is dull, languid, easily . 

 fatigued. He will break into a sweat with the slightest exertion, and it is almost 

 impossible thoroughly to dry him. He may perhaps feed as well as usual, 

 although that will not generally be the case, but he is not equal to the demands 

 which we are compelled to make upon him. 



This process goes on for an uncertain time, depending on the constitution of 

 the animal, until nature has effected a change, and then he once more rallies : 

 but a great alteration has taken place in him — the hair has lost its soft and 

 glossy character, and is become dry and staring. The skin ceases to secrete that 

 peculiar unctuous matter which kept it soft and flexible, and becomes dry and 

 scaly ; and the exhalents on the surface, having become relaxed, are frequently 

 pouring out a profuse perspiration, without any apparent adequate cause for it. 



So passes the approach to winter, and the owner complains sadly of the 

 appearance of his steed, and, according to the old custom, gives him plenty of 

 cordial balls, — perhaps too many of them, — on the whole not being unser- 

 viceable at this critical period, yet not productive of a great deal of good. At 

 length the animal rallies of himself, and although not so strong and full of 

 spirits as he ought to be, is hardier and more lively than he was, and able to 

 struggle with the cold of the coming winter.* 



* Mr. E. Gabriel, V. S., on the Treatment of the Horse in Autumn.— Veterin'arian t 

 vol, xiii. 627. 



