472 
SOFTENING OF THE LIVER 
impossible. The same custom prevails in the army. This manner 
of feeding, conjoined with the deprivation of all exercise, occasions 
a degree of embonpoint pleasing to the eye, but deceitful and dan- 
gerous. Adipose matter accumulates on almost every part of the 
body, and at the expense of that nutriment which should add to the 
development and power of the muscles. The consequence is that 
the animals are debilitated. If they are ridden they break out into 
profuse perspiration, and blunder at almost every step. 
The blood of the horse thus kept on green meat is more watery 
than that of others that are fed on dry aliment, such as hay and 
barley. The debilitating effect of this absurd and prolonged mode 
of treatment is seen most of all in those that are above five or six 
years old, and whose growth is complete. The green trefoil, long 
continued, affords neither to the muscles nor to any other part of 
the frame the elements which are necessary to their normal and 
healthy condition. 
The complete inaction to which they are abandoned at this 
period is another powerful occasional cause of evil, and it is a 
matter of constant observation, that, with a high degree of tempera- 
ture, there is connected an increased predisposition to disease. 
Another powerful predisposing cause may also be found in the 
absurd and injurious practice of suddenly passing from dry to green 
food, and from green to dry. 
Having little doubt that this absurd method of feeding had con- 
siderable influence on the development of this disease, I endea- 
voured to effect some reform with regard to it. As it was impos- 
sible for me to exert much influence on the inhabitants, I commenced 
with the army. I addressed several reports and memorials to the 
minister of war, praying him to try the experiment of a change, 
even on a small scale. 3Iy observations were not at all to the 
taste of the reigning powers, nor consistent with the deep-rooted 
prejudices of those who had been accustomed to exercise control 
in these matters. I was assured by some, that, by suppressing or 
diminishing this exhibition of green food, which had been so long 
established in Egypt, I should render the horses blind ; others told 
me that I knew’ nothing about the climate of Egypt or the danger 
of the change -w hich I contemplated. 
All this opposition, far from discouraging me, rendered me more 
determined to carry my point. I replied to my opponents by 
referring to the neighbouring country of the Hedjas, where the 
horses whose breed was so much esteemed were kept a much shorter 
time on green meat. These discussions, at length, made their due 
impression on the council, and experiments with regard to this dis- 
puted matter were ordered to be undertaken. The horses of two 
regiments used to be fed on fresh trefoil during forty days. One 
