102 Veterinary Elements. 



ear. Horses sometimes become deaf when shot over 

 during hunting expeditions, the deafness in some cases 

 being temporary, in others permanent. 



The Skin. Along with the skin such structures as hair, 

 horn and glands (sebaceous and sweat) are found, the 

 glands have already been described. 



The skin covers the body and by so doing aids in reg- 

 ulating the temperature of that body, it also is the organ 

 of touch. 



Examination of this covering shows it to consist of two 

 layers, one on the surface, the epidermis, containing 

 nerves and pigment granules, the latter gives color to 

 the skin, and the dermis, which contains nerves and 

 blood vessels; like all other tissues, these divisions of the 

 skin are made up of cells, arranged in layers, the upper 

 ones of which are being gradually changed to meet out- 

 side conditions and are eventually shed. 



Among stoikmen the condition of the skin is consid- 

 ered an indication not only of health, but of breeding 

 and ability to use the food furnished to the best advan- 

 tage. In horses the glossy coat with fine hair is so much 

 desired, in beef cattle the following essentials are called 

 for, often included under the special term — handling — 

 such are a soft, silky coat of thick, furry hair ( in winter), 

 a pliable skin of good thickness, with a mellow cushion 

 underneath. In the dairy cow that same pliability of 

 the skin, which must be somewhat thinner than in the 

 beef type, is desired. In sheep the color affords the best 

 indication, a pink color being much approved of by 

 shepherds. 



Hair grows from the hair follicles, which are a folding 

 in of the epidermis to form deep narrow depressions; 



