HORSE MANAGEMENT, ETt. 411 
teastion, but they are classed among the irrational barbarities of 
the past, with which they ought to have sunk into oblivion, 
Vetcrinary science has discovered that if such articles possess 
any virtue, it is owing to the moisture they impart to the foot. 
Therefore, on the score of decency, and in view of relaxing the 
contracted foot according to the principles of reason and modern 
science, we should avoid every kind of filth, and resort to pure 
water or wholesome poultice; or take off the shoes, wash the feet 
daily, and let the horse run to grass, so that he may bring the sole 
and frog in contact with the ground, and thus promote expansion 
of the heels. 
As regards the manufacture of tender feet, in both the young 
and aged, it makes but little difference whether they have the 
range of a filthy barn-yard or are confined in a bedded stall; the 
effect is tenderness of foot, and subsequent lameness; and the 
same, or a disposition to it, may be transmitted through the sexual 
congress to future offspring. In view, therefore, of preventing 
diseased feet, strict attention must be paid to cleanliness, The 
stall floor should be composed of brick or plank, having just suf- 
ficient declivity to conduct fluids into a gutter, running along the 
entrance to the stall, which should terminate exterior to the stable, 
so that the ammonia, in which the urine is abundant, is carried 
beyond the stable atmosphere. The bedding, which, according 
to long custom, is stowed under the crib, there acting as a sort of 
aoxious smelling-bottle to the horse’s nostrils, should be spread 
out in the open air, sorted, the refuse and excrement removed to 
a dung-heap, located as far from the stable as possible; for the 
sommon manure receptacle, under the stable floor, is one of the 
worst features of stable economy. The stable floor should be 
washed clean as often as circumstances permit. 
SrrRaNGLEs (“ DisteMPER,” oR “ Horsk AIL”). 
This disease is most prevalent in young horses. After the age 
of eight the disease is more rare I have, however, seen some 
well-marked cases occurring in hoises whose ages varied from five 
to eight years. Strangles is, without doubt, one of the evila of 
domestication, and often results from errors in diet and man- 
agement, which, if we make some exceptions, will generally bear 
improvement. 
