30 THE TURF 



constitutional peculiarities. Those which 

 have been at work are thus treated, we 

 mean when the season is concluded : by 

 indulgence in their exercise they are suf- 

 fered to gather flesh, or become ' lusty,' as 

 the term is, to enable them the better to 

 endure their physic ; but, in addition to 

 two hours' walking exercise, they must have 

 a gentle gallop to keep them quiet. If frost 

 sets in,, they are walked and trotted in a 

 paddock upon litter, it being considered 

 dangerous to take them at that time from 

 home. When the weather is favourable, 

 they commence a course of physic, con- 

 sisting of perhaps three doses, at an interval 

 of about eight days between each. A vast 

 alteration has taken place in the strength of 

 the doses given, and, consequently, accidents 

 from physic now more rarely occur. Eight 

 drachms of Barbadoes aloes form the largest 

 dose at present given to aged horses, with 

 six to four-year olds, five to three-year olds, 

 four to two-year olds, and from two to 

 three to yearlings; although in all such 

 operations the constitution of the animal 

 must be consulted, After physic, and after 

 Christmas, they begin to do rather better 



