THE FOOD OF PUPPIES, ETC. 



201 



horses which have been much drugged for Imgering diseases, and 

 those also which are much emaciated, are likely to do more harm 

 than good. Slipped calves and lambs, as well as beef and mutton, 

 the result of death from natural causes, make an excellent change, 

 but are seldom better than bad horseflesh. Still, as variety 

 is essential to success in rearing, thoy should not be rejected. 

 Whatever this kind of food is composed of, it should be boiled, 

 with the exception of paunches, which may be given raw, but 

 even they are better boiled, and I think an occasional meal of well- 

 kept horseflesh is rather a good change. The flesh with the bones 

 should be boiled for hours, until the meat is thoroughly done ; then 

 take it out and let it hang ui^til cold ; cut or strip it from the bones 

 and mix with the puddmgs or stirabout according to the quantity 

 required. The broth should always be used, as there are impor- 

 tant elements of nutrition dissolved in it, which are absent in the 

 boiled flesh. It is therefore necessary to make the puddings or 

 stirabout with it, or to soak in it the biscuit, when this is the food 

 selected. The bones should be given for the dogs to gnaw, to- 

 gether with any others from the house which can be obtained, but 

 taking care to remove all fragments small enough for them to 

 swallow whole. Bones should be given on grass or clean flags 

 The comparative value of the various articles of diet enumerated 

 according to the authority of Liebig, is as follows : 



From this high authority it appears that barley-meal is superior 



