HIDE-BOUND. 477 



hardness and unyieldingness of the skin from the want of the oily matter on its 

 surface and in its suhstance. It is the difference that is presented to the 

 feeling by well curried and supple leather, and that which has become dry and 

 unyielding. 



The surface of the skin becoming dry and hard, the scales of the cuticle are 

 no longer penetrated by the hair, but, separating themselves in every direction, 

 give that peculiar roughness to the coat which accompanies want of condi- 

 tion. It betokens impaired function of the vessels everywhere, and particularly 

 those of the stomach and bowels. Hide-bound is not so much a disease as a 

 symptom of disease, and particularly of the digestive organs ; and our remedies 

 must be spplied not so much to the skin — although we have, in friction and in 

 warmth, most valuable agents in producing a healthy condition of the integu- 

 ments — as to the cause of the hide-bound, and the state of the constitution 

 generally. Every disease that can affect the general system may produce this 

 derangement of the functions of the skin. Glanders, when become constitu- 

 tional, is strongly indicated by the unthrifty appearance of the coat. Chronic 

 cough, grease, farcy, and founder, are accompanied by hide-bound ; and diet too 

 sparing, and not adequate to the work exacted, is an unfailing source of it. If 

 the cause is removed, the effect will cease. 



Should the cause be obscure, as it frequently is — should the horse wear an 

 unthrifty coat, and his hide cling to his ribs, without any apparent disease, we 

 shall generally be warranted in tracing it to sympathy with the actual, although 

 not demonstrable, suspension of some important secretion or /unction, either of 

 the alimentary canal, or the respiratory functions. A few mashes, and a mild 

 dose of physic, are first indicated, and, simple as they appear to be, they often 

 have a very beneficial effect. The regular action of the bowels being re-es- 

 tablished, that of all the organs of the frame will speedily follow. If the horse 

 cannot be spared for physic, alteratives may be administered. There is no bet- 

 ter alterative for hide-bound and an unthrifty coat, than that which is in com- 

 mon use, levigated antimony, nitre, and sulphur. The peculiar effect of the 

 antimony and sulphur, and electric influence on the skin, with that of the 

 sulphur on the bowels, and of the nitre on the urinary organs, will be here 

 advantageously combined. 



Should the horse not feed well, and there is no indication of fever, a slight 

 tonic may be added, as gentian, or ginger ; but in the majority of cases at- 

 tended by loss of condition, and an unthrifty coat, and hide -bound, tonics and 

 aromatics should be carefully avoided. 



The cause of the impaired action of the vessels being removed, the powers of 

 nature will generally be sufficient, and had better be left to themselves. There are 

 not any more dangerous medicines in common use in the stable, and especially in 

 cases like these, than tonics and cordials. They often arouse to fatal action a 

 tendency to fever that would otherwise have slept, or they produce a state of 

 excitement near akin to fever and apt to degenerate into it. By the stimulus 

 of a cordial the secretions may be suddenly roused, and among them, this 

 unctuous secretion from the pores of the skin, so necessary to apparent condi- 

 tion ; but the effect soon passes over, and a repetition of the stimulus is neces- 

 sary — the habit is soon formed — the dose must be gradually increased, and in 

 the mean time the animal is kept in a state of dangerous excitement, by which 

 the powers of nature must be eventually impaired. 



Friction may be employed with advantage in the removal of hide-bound. It 

 has repeatedly been shown that this is one of the most efficacious instruments we 

 can use to call into exercise the suspended energies either of the absorbent or 

 secreting vessels. Warmth may likewise be had recourse to — not warmth of stable, 

 which has been shown to be so injurious, but warmth arising from exercise, and 



