178 THE CONDITION OF HUNTERS 



On going to the stable I found her on her knees. 

 " She is fainting," said I : " bring her into the air, 

 and she will recover ; " which she almost immediately 

 did, and, after walking gently about for twenty 

 minutes, she returned to her stable comfortable and 

 well. 



Although it has been the fashion in the Old School 

 to condemn the use of cordials, yet I have no hesita- 

 tion in saying, that in the hunting stable such medi- 

 cines are invaluable ; and were a pint of port wine ^ 

 made warm with spices given to a hunter after a 

 very hard day's work, I have no doubt but it would 

 be as serviceable to him as it would be to his master. 

 After all, what is fatigue ? It is a sudden exhaustion 

 of strength, producing languor and faintness — the 

 consequence of too great a hurry of the animal func- 

 tions ! Whatever, then, speedily removes these 

 distressing symptoms, and gives strength and cheerful- 

 ness to the body, cannot fail in being beneficial. 



In all those distempers which dissipate the nervous 

 fluid or animal spirits, I am certain cordials are good ; 

 and in all obstructions whereby the perspirable matter 

 is thrown back on the circulation, producing a sudden 

 diminution of strength, with increased languor and 

 weight, they cannot fail to be of service. In the 

 commencement of colds they are very effectual, by 

 increasing insensible perspiration ; and to horses 

 which are what is termed " washy," and which throw 

 off their meat, or to those which are much below 

 their mark, they are extremely beneficial, as they not 



1 Unquestionably an excellent restorative. — Editor. 



