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Selected Articles. 
faces have been supposed to separate and eliminate from the 
system, a fluid possessing many of the constituents of sweat, 
and loaded besides with properties peculiar to itself, which, if 
detained, deteriorates the health of the animal. The constant 
and regular discharge of this fluid, has been thought neces- 
sary for the perfect health of the animal, in promoting a sound 
state, more especially of the extremities, after-heels, hoofs and 
legs, all of which have been supposed to become diseased in 
some way by obstructions of the surfaces. 
Emunctories somewhat similar, exist on the inner surfaces 
of the extremities of the swine, near the knees, which, if long 
obstructed, generally result in lameness and dragging of the 
posterior extremities; a secretion is continually distilling from 
them, which, like the crust of the horse, displays the peculiar 
odour or scent of the animal, more particularly observable 
when surprised or irritated. 
As a medicinal agent, the crust has been long known in this 
part of the country. How it found its way into use as a re- 
medy, is not certainly ascertained. It is conjectured that the 
coincidence of the horse being observed to bite the crust, and 
to pass worms from the bowels soon after, suggested it as 
such, and the conjecture is by no means improbable, when it 
is remembered, that this article was first employed as a ver- 
mifuge with that animal. The foetid odour of the crust, it 
would seem, might naturally have suggested the idea of its 
possessing remediate powers, and doubtless did indicate it as 
a nervine and antispasmodic, after it was supposed to possess 
vermifuge properties. 
We have long known and employed this substance as an 
antispasmodic; but the merit of introducing it into regular 
practice, is due to Dr. Joseph Mettauer, (the writer's father) 
who employed it in epilepsy, so early as 1782 or 1783. Dur- 
ing the last twenty-five years we have enjoyed many, and 
satisfactory opportunities of using the crust as a remedy in 
epileptic convulsions. 
In collecting the crust for medical purposes, it is necessary 
to attend carefully to its loosening tendency from time to time, 
ox it may fall off and be lost. It may be made to separate 
