AIR AND VENTILATION. 59 



supports. The doorways should be high and wide, 

 so that there is no danger of the horse hitting his 

 hips or head against it in going in and out. A 

 fractured hip-bone is frequently caused by horses 

 rushing through narrow doorways, and a troublesome 

 disease known as " poll evil " is generally caused 

 by striking the head against too low a one. It is 

 also well to have the sides of the door-posts rounded 

 off, not left at an angle. If there is no window at 

 the back of the stable, opposite the door, one should 

 be made above the horse's head, and another smaller 

 one on a level with the floor, so as to allow the air 

 to circulate freely. If possible, avoid a draught, but 

 always remember that it is better to have plenty of 

 fresh air and a draught than a stuffy stable without 

 one, as the horse can always be kept warm with 

 extra clothing, bandages, and bedding. Thatched 

 roofs are much cooler in summer and warmer in 

 winter than the flat earthen ones that are generally 

 used in Northern India. Indian stables are almost 

 always divided off into loose boxes, the partition 

 walls being continued up to the roof. I think they 

 should be only built high enough to prevent the 

 horses teasing each other over them, as if continued 

 right up they interfere with the free circulation 

 of the air. If this cannot be done, on account of 



