THE FEET — PHYSIC. 117 



of ground gram ; as much water as he likes to 

 drink ; but not much grass. Continue this for 

 a week or ten days, and then prepare him for 

 physic. This is the only time I shall urge you, 

 without a very good reason, to give physic ; but 

 on first coming out of the stables (if he has not 

 been physicked since he came out of the boat, 

 which you should inquire, for many of the dealers 

 are great physickers) he will be safer ; and, if 

 thin, get into condition quicker by a mild dose.* 



* J. Stewart, p. 48. " Hundreds of horses have been ruined 

 or destroyed by the first journey they have made after being 

 purchased. The buyer has been ignorant, that, to command 

 even moderate work from a horse, he must be prepared for it 

 very gradually, and by a systematic course of treatment." 



Horses never thrive well in Bombay during the rains. If 

 purchased from the stables in April or May, they should be 

 physicked and sent off to the Deccan by the 1st of June : the 

 benefit will be great, if properly looked after. 



A short' time since I heard the following dialogue between 

 two of my brother amateurs, one a civilian, the other a 

 militaire. 



Civilian. — Are you fond of physicking horses ? 



Militaire, — No, I never yet physicked a horse, and never 

 would. I never knew any good come from physic. 



Civilian. — Well, I differ from you. I never had a horse 

 come into my possession, I did not immediately physic ; and 

 ever would. If I had fifty, I would physic them all to- 

 morrow. 



Now, there are some individuals in almost every camp 

 holding exactly these opinions : they never give a thought, 

 nor care a button, whether the horse requires physic, or not : 



