lO 



I question very much whether the mode of housing horses 

 in London has not had something to do with pink-eye. You 

 cannot stable, say, ten or twelve horses in a cubic space only 

 fit for five without injury to health. Overcrowding in the 

 sleeping arrangements of the poorer classes of humanity, — 

 the huddlinof together and want of fresh air, — induces fevers, 

 a low state of the system, loss of energy, and general debility 

 — all brought about by inhaling a poisonous atmosphere. 

 If so with the human being, how much more so with the 

 horse, who requires a much larger space in which to breathe 

 than we do ? There is great need for reform in this direc- 

 tion, and while considering the splendid prizes contended for 

 on the turf, those in power and position might exert them- 

 selves a little to render the end of the horse somewhat more 

 creditable to them than at present, and not allow our country 

 to become as barbarous in this respect as some foreign coun- 

 tries one could name. 



The present method of slaughtering horses is not, to my 

 mind, a humane one. Only the other day a brutal exhibition 

 of this kind took place in the street. Surely a poor animal 

 so unlucky as to break his leg or thigh ought not to be left* 

 for hours in excruciating pain until the friendly knacker, 

 licensed horse-slaughterer, or whatever he or his representa- 

 tive may be called, makes his appearance. Even then often- 

 times he cannot put an end to the poor brute's sufferings 

 without an exhibition of ignorance in his calling, which of all 

 occupations ought to be carried out in a humane and speedy 

 manner. Might not the police constable be provided with 

 some means of humanely putting the animal out of pain, 

 without waiting hours for the slaughterman ? Some better 

 arrangements ought to be made for accidents of this descrip- 



