Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1869-01-15
Blanketing Of Horses.


geon, has favored us with some observa-
tions upon this subject, which are of spe-
cial Importance at this season of the year.
He believes that very much harm is
done by too heavy blanketimg. supporting
this view by sound physiological reasons.
The skin Of one domestic, as Of all ver-
tebrates, consists of two distinct layers.
The outer. or cuticle. is composed of lay,
.ers Of round cells, in which resides the
coloring matter. Though deprived Of
blood vessels and nerves, this outer skin
has true vitality, and it's proper func-
tions. .r 80: j., zai,i..c.
The inner or true skin has more per-
feet organization, is more sensitive, and
is the real roofing place of the hair. It
varies in thickness in different animals,
and in different portions of the same ani-
NAL. It is much thinner and more sensi-
tive in the thorough bred racer than in
the ordinary cart-horse. On the interior
part of the thigh. the skin is thin; on the
exterior, much thicker. The hair, also,
which is distributed over the whole sur
face, varies in thickness and length, as
protection against cold is more or less
needed. From all domestic animals in d
healthy state there is an exhalation from
the surface of the skin, called inssaside
Transportation When this. .exeretipl be,
comes sensible, by active exertion Or; con-
dition Of. temperature, it is called sweat:
Both forms Of e1cretion are iimpoftafit
to the vital economy, and vary great y
with the state Of the atmosphere. activity
Of the digestive organs, and .auick ot long
continued muscular exertion. tits. if we
may use; the. langusge.s.sssorts sf 'sasis.
breathing, ), by means Of, which feW or qq-
necessary matter .is eliminated from the
|body just as vitiateed and carboonised air is
thrown of by the lungs Thus, sOtne-
Etimes this 3cutaneods transpiratisno will
have the odor Of urine; at other times
(after desing), it. will have the odpqs;rllfi odpqs; Of
| sulphur, a., 4p -,
This natural transpirati5otn,' On I should tsesir! tssir
ther be checked nor should it be excessively
provoked Heavy -blankesing in stables
will very likely make theahair lic smooths
ly Qhus saving some labor to the groom,
and make the skin supple; but it will
open the pores nnnaturaliy, and make a
delicate horse fearfully sensitive to sud-
den changes of temperature. as29s ion l.
Nature very wisely ptoyidesta thicker
and more rapid growth Of hair in the wipp,
ter than in the summer; and the disposi-
ton Of the hair to assume a brisfiy ap-
pearance in cold weather, however obhex-
ions to 6nical tastes, is nature's own. ad-
ljustment Of covering. to, ward off danger
from cold, and to keep healthy the pores
| of the skin.
Grooms may rub as much and as'often
as they will. but they should not find an
excuse for laziness in heavy and close
blanketing. s,ea.a aa.s,.i.4 81, 4 +,
Blankets of coarse wool are the best,
which permit free circulation Of air, and,
! if lined. they should be lined with a por-
GUS cloth. Buffalo-robes, used for this
purpose. are bad. and. if used at all,
should be. used aoith the hair side doass,
by which means the vapor will be absorb
ed by the wool. and not held id close con-
tact with the sweltering skin OF the animal.
It is the poorest of all policies to secure
a sleek, supple skin at the expense Of con-
|stitational vigor and native hardiness.-
Hearth and Home. nssI er.t IL -.