244 GREASE. 
room. The impacted people are pointed to as the source of certain dis- 
eases, and society shudders as the medical report is circulated. No one, 
however, visits the stable; no one inquires whether horses live in the 
space which affords sufficient atmosphere to support existence; no one 
has yet traced disease in man as probably originating in the close and 
contaminated fumes of nearly every London mews. Still, if the over- 
crowded rooms of the poor merit an elaborate report as so very danger- 
ous to society, may not the stifling and reeking condition of the stables 
deserve a passing comment in its relation to the same effect ? 
Cutting the hair from, and thereby exposing the hinder heels to the 
operation of cold and of wet is no unfrequent cause of grease. Such 
is a common practice with lazy horsekeepers when not stimulated by the 
proprietor’s eye. In winter, when the legs most require warmth and 
protection, the heels are deprived of the covering which nature intended 
should protect them; and parts where the blood flows most tardily are 
laid bare to the effects of evaporation and of frost. When the animal 
returns soiled from work, most grooms will sluice a pail of cold water 
over the legs; the dirt is thereby washed off, but the legs are suddenly 
chilled, and soon become more cold, because of the moisture which they 
retain and of the evaporation which ensues; for very few stablemen, 
finding the appearance pleasing to mortal perceptions, think about the 
comfort of the creature which is principally concerned. 
Sudden chill striking a part, and followed by gradually-increasing 
cold, will certainly induce congestion; the foundation of disease is thus 
laid. The better plan would be to instruct the groom that appearance 
is secondary to the welfare of his charge. Order the man not to mind 
about leaving his horses so very clean and tidy; never allow the hair, 
which grows long and luxuriant about the heels, to be cut off. Leave 
strict orders that, when the animal returns with dirty legs, the stableman 
is to take several wisps of straw and rub them until the surface is quite 
dry. The absence of wet will greatly add to the comfort of the horse, 
while the friction will increase the circulation and prove the very best 
preventive to disease. With the moisture, of course, much of the dirt 
must be removed ; any which is left behind will readily fall out on the 
following morning, upon the hair being carefully hand-rubbed and 
combed. However, mind and see this is done, for it entails some 
trouble; and, if you are content with merely giving orders, the “old 
buffer’s megrims” are sure to be laughed at and disobeyed. 
Turning out to grass, especially during the colder months, when the 
wet is particularly abundant, and the bite peculiarly short, is another 
fruitful source of this affection. If a well-bred, aged animal, which has 
done its work, after a life spent under the protection of the stable and 
