396 FISTULOUS PAROTID DUCT. 
Every puncture made into the substance of the duct, and every rup- 
ture of the canal, speedily becomes fistulous sores. The saliva constantly 
pours through the opening thus instituted; the healing process is thereby 
prevented, aud the edges of the wound rapidly become callous. It is, 
however, painful to be obliged to state that the stable fork, in the hand 
of an intemperate groom, is the instrument by which these punctures are 
too frequently occasioned. 
Gentlemen when engaging people to attend upon their animals should 
always be very particular concerning temper. An irritable person, how- 
ever smart he may appear, is obviously disqualified for such an oceupa- 
tion. A man of an evil temper should never be engaged. Still, the great 
majority of present grooms are rather conspicuous for an exuberance of 
conceit, than remarkable for any openness of countenance. Smartness 
may gratify the pride of the master; but it is difficult to comprehend in 
what manner it possibly can benefit his horse. 
There is an old proverb which, being ‘the condensed wisdom of 
ages,” teaches that ‘the master’s eye fattens the steed.” Most of 
modern masters dislike nothing so much as trouble. The stable is given 
over to the servant. No Eastern despot is so absolute as the groom in 
his dominions: he kicks and abuses its inhabitants at his pleasure. If 
the free exercise of his will occasions injury, a lie is easily invented and 
readily believed by the lazy superior. All that comes into or passes out 
of the building pays toll to the invested ruler. Five per cent. is levied 
upon the hay and corn merchant; the dung is sold as a legitimate per- 
quisite; the bills of the harness and the 
coach makers are taxed one shilling in the 
pound by the most ignorant groom, and 
often much higher by the properly initiated. 
Thus the idle man pays dearly for his ease. 
There is no luxury so expensive as a want 
of wholesome energy. F 
The process of mastication causes the 
saliva to be secreted. At each motion of 
the jaw it is squirted forth with violence; 
every drop of the fluid passes through the 
false opening—no portion finds its way into 
the mouth. The running of the stream 
ge SERGE Ee eK GROEN down the cheek wears away the hair, 
while the absence of a valuable constitu- 
ent toward perfect digestion occasions the diet not to nourish the body. 
The animal loses flesh, and quickly assumes a miserable appearance, 
which makes the proprietor long to rid his sight of so pitiable an object. 
