SRINAGAR TO LEH 19 



would go on grazing all night, which was far better 

 for them : on consideration this does not seem im- 

 probable. Another thing is that ponies should not 

 be allowed to drink while on the march or soon after 

 getting in, the reason given being that it makes 

 their backs more apt to gall. 



Sore back, as I have said before, is a great trouble, 

 and while actually on the march it is impossible to 

 do much for it ; in fact, if the weather is very cold, 

 any attempt at washing the sores seems to do more 

 harm than good, and one can only hope they are not 

 as painful as they look ; when halting or in warm 

 weather, a daily wash with a solution of perman- 

 ganate of potash (or perchloride of mercury i in 1,000) 

 is the best thing I know of, followed by iodoform 

 when the wound has become healthy ; bluestone is 

 simple and often effective to dry up a running place, 

 and poulticing will sometimes be found necessary. 

 When halting for a few days something can be 

 done, but when on the march, though with care 

 it is possible to prevent their becoming very bad, a 

 real cure cannot be effected, and the old proverb 

 that necessity has no law comes into force. 



