334 ' THE HORSE 



case if instead some spirit and water were taken, although 

 the latter contained considerably more alcohol. In this 

 case the thickness of speech appears to be caused through a 

 partial paralysis of "motor function" in the tongue, while 

 the intelligence is all the time extremely active and unim- 

 paired. It may be a boon to such as are liable to be aifected 

 in this way and yet are compelled to attend public dinners, 

 and make speeches, to know that by taking a very small 

 quantity of Bicarbonate of Soda, or effervescing Citrate of 

 Magnesia, half an hour before dining they need have no 

 fear of any such occurrence, even after indulging in 

 champagne ! Whether any similar traits may be noticed 

 in animals after the scientific administration of champagne 

 is not anywhere recorded, as far as the writer is aware, 

 though he has known it successfully given to a nervous 

 race-horse previous to a race. 



What mainly concerns the horse-owner is — when is a 

 stimulant likely to be of service ; what should be adminis- 

 tered ; and in what quantity ? In respect of the first item, 

 horses very much resemble human beings, and just as 

 a nervous or mentally depressed person is benefited by 

 taking a glass of wine before encountering some unusually 

 trying ordeal, so also does a nervous animal receive encour- 

 agement in the same way. Before the stringent orders 

 forbidding "doping" in any form whatever were issued by 

 the Turf authorities, it was a common custom to give a little 

 spirit, or even beer, to a horse that began shaking, and 

 breaking into a sweat from nervousness when taken into a 

 paddock before a race; and the difference that " nip " often 

 made in the horse's running was only in accordance with 

 what common sense would expect, and of which innumerable 

 instances could be given by any prominent jockey or trainer 

 of those times. The bottle of port the great trainer, John 

 Scott, used to give Taraban was the talk of the times, and a 

 little crowd used to collect round the pair, as the time for 

 the race drew nigh, in hopes of witnessing the interesting 

 ceremony. In this case the stimulant was given to put 

 heart into the horse, who was not otherwise always to be 

 depended upon to do his best. It is difficult to understand 



