CLOTHIIfG THE PATIENT, 119 



■comfortable kind. But if the weather be warm and agreeable, 

 if the box faces the south, and is well sheltered by other build- 

 ings, the clothing need only be light, — perhaps, a linen sheet, or 

 a thin cotton rug may prove su£B.cient. 



If the habitation be comfortable, we are not advocates for 

 much clothing. For a coarse bred horse, we seldom use more 

 than a single woollen rug thrown evenly over the body of the 

 animal, and fastened lightly with a surcingle. With high bred 

 horses, it may at times be necessary to have a hood, a breast 

 cloth, and woollen bandages for the limbs, and perhaps an 

 additional rug as well. The best criterion however to judge by, 

 is the state of the coat of the patient. If the hair rises, and the 

 animal becomes chiQy, clothe more heavily ; but if it remains 

 glossy, the temperature of the body equable, and the animal 

 appears comfortable, it is all that is required. In some diseases, 

 as in inflammation of the bowels, it is impossible to clothe the 

 patient. The violence of the animal will prevent it. But when 

 recovery has commenced, and the violence disappeared, it is then 

 necessary to clothe well, in order to assist the restorative powers 

 as far as possible. It is impossible, however, to lay down rules 

 to meet the exigencies of every case. Suffice to say, if the 

 patient be clothed too heavily, an imcomfortable state of excite- 

 ment is produced ; while too little clothing is also prejudicial. 

 The shin is the index which, if closely noted, will at all times 

 prove a sure guide in this matter. 



END OF PAET I, 



