ON THE DISEASES OF FARM HORSES. 347 
average temperature should never exceed 62 degrees, being 36 
degrees below blood heat. The advantage of keeping the at¬ 
mosphere of stables considerably cooler than the body itself, 
consists not only in the greater amount of oxygen contained in 
a given bulk of air, but also in the greater force with which the 
foul air of respiration is carried away from the breathing pas¬ 
sages, and a pure air supplied, in consequence of the difference 
of temperature maintaining a current. 
These remarks on ventilation and the temperature of stables 
will strongly apply to hunting or other stables, it being rarely 
necessary to exceed 62 degrees; and if more warmth is re¬ 
quired, it should be supplied by warm clothing. 
Neglect of Incipient Disease. 
The progress of many diseases in the horse is exceedingly 
rapid, owing to the activity of his vital powers and great vas¬ 
cular development, predisposing to determination of blood and 
sthenic, or active inflammation, and hence a knowledge of the 
incipient stages is a matter of paramount necessity. 
In a general way, this is obtained by observing the dif¬ 
ferences between the signs of disease and the usual healthy 
appearances of horses, or it may be from a particular knowledge 
of the standard of health in any individual case. 
The digestive organs frequently give the earliest notice of 
approaching disorder. When there is a partial loss of appetite, 
dulness and disinclination to work, the mouth hot and dry, and 
perhaps the legs and ears colder than usual, these symptoms 
require immediate attention, indicating, as they plainly do, the 
approach of fever or inflammation. 
The condition of the skin and hair will also afford a true in¬ 
dication of the state of the health in a general way. “ The 
horse is unhealthy in his coat” is a very common expression, 
and this sign should never be neglected. The hair of a healthy 
horse is smooth and sleek, and the skin soft and expansive. 
This is indicated by the touch, as in cattle. When the system 
is deranged, the skin loses its pliancy, its surface becomes hard 
and dry, and the hair, to use another common expression, 
“ stares on end,” and is rough and rusty. These symptoms 
accompany almost every constitutional disease, especially dis¬ 
orders of the digestive organs. The sympathy existing between 
the skin and alimentary canal is very considerable, and it fol¬ 
lows almost in every case, that when either of these become 
affected, the other takes on sympathetic derangement. 
The alvine excretions also furnish early signs of approaching 
disease. The quality of the excretions supplies symptoms, in 
regard to colour and consistence, which often lead to a know- 
