264 Western Live-stock Management 



upper layer called the cuticle, which is hard and insensitive, 

 and the inner or under layer called the cutus or true skin, 

 which is sensitive and vascular. The cutus or true skin 

 is thick and full of blood vessels and nerves and from it 

 grows the layer which forms the cuticle or outer skin. 

 Each cell is originally filled with moisture and as the 

 moisture evaporates, the cells become flattened and are 

 laid in series, one over the other, forming the cuticle or 

 outer skin. The cells of the outer skin are constantly 

 being worn off and are replaced from below by new cells 

 formed by the cutus or true skin. The sweat glands in 

 the skin secrete perspiration which is exuded through a 

 pore terminating in the surface of the skin. Each 

 gland is minute in itself, but collectively they form one 

 of the largest secreting organs in the body. The oil 

 glands open partly on the surface, but mostly into the 

 tubes of the hair. Each hair tube is furnished with one 

 or more of these glands. ^Vherever there is much fric- 

 tion or motion in the skin, the old glands are very numer- 

 ous. The healthy or unhealthy condition of the sldn is 

 very readily shown by the appearance of the hair. If the 

 skin is unhealthy, the coat is harsh and dry. If the skin 

 is not properly cleaned, the dirt remains, not merely on 

 the coat, as many think, but in the system, due to the 

 clogging up of this very important set of drains. The 

 general health of the animal must in consequence suffer. 

 In order that grooming should produce the desired effects 

 of removing the scurf and worn-out cells as. well as clean- 

 ing the horse, it is necessary that the skin be cleaned 

 thoroughly by a good bristle brush well laid on. The other 

 necessary instruments are a curry comb, mane comb, and 

 fiber brush. By fiber brush is meant one which is made of 

 stiff vegetable fiber and not of hair bristles . The curry comb 



