176 
THE VETERINARY ART IN INDIA. 
the nature of diseases in this class, it will be proper to remark 
some other general rules relative to the property and power of 
life. 
The excitability is equally diffused over every part of the ani- 
mal frame, and a connexion exists between every fibre in the 
body; by which means a powerful excitement applied to one 
particular part occasions but a temporary exhaustion, as it is 
soon supplied again from the contiguous fibres. It is thus that 
a very powerful and continued stimulus to one part may consume 
tbe sum total of excitability, as is, perhaps, the case with some 
poisons ; but though this communication exists, a part may suffer 
disease from temporary exhaustion, by a too frequent repetition 
of stimulus. This is exemplified after a long and fatiguing march : 
the joints of the legs will be for some time more exhausted than 
the rest of the body. One arm, or any member of the body, being 
long employed, fatigues the whole system, but is itself more fa- 
tigued; also, in persons in the habit of drinking to excess, the 
capacity of the fibres of the stomach for retaining the excitability 
is so much destroyed, that disease of exhaustion ensues; and, the 
stomach no longer possessing the power to digest the food, the 
juices separated from it are crude and unwholesome, and diseases 
of the stomach and liver, attended with emaciation and atrophy, 
succeed. The votaries to the softer passions, who indulge to ex- 
cess, or commence too early, soon hurry themselves into a similar 
state ; and they will be very fortunate if they avoid the deplora- 
ble miseries of chronic diseases, and merely make an advance on 
life, and induce a premature old age, the unavoidable attendant 
of excess. 
In this climate nearly the whole of tbe diseases to which the 
horse is subject arises from exhaustion, inducing debility ; and 
obstructions or spasms succeed. In this class I conceive are, the 
farcy, spasms, and general convulsions, gripes, locked jaw, and 
the ulcered liver ; to which, I believe, I may add, weakness of the 
loins, and all diseases which produce sudden death without in- 
flammation. 
The atmosphere in this climate, particularly during the land 
winds, must act as a very powerful stimulus over the whole sur- 
face of the body, diffusing its influence through the whole sys- 
tem. This must often exhaust the animal in the most rapid man- 
ner, and, if it ceases suddenly, such a state of debility ensues as 
must frequently induce a state of convulsion, &c. 
Every animal is subject to daily exhaustion and accumulation. 
During sleep the sense of vision, and the mind and body being 
at rest, there is a great diminution of the natural stimuli ; conse- 
quently the property accumulates, and in the morning the body 
is much more irritable and susceptible of impressions, inebriety. 
