138 THE POCKET AND THE STUD. 



first case, it is nourishing and invigorating re- 

 medies that are wanted to re-animate the flagging 

 and exhausted system ; in the latter, soothing 

 and sedative ones, to allay irritation, and bring 

 back the agitated and distressed parts to the 

 usual state of quietude. I have seen terrible 

 mistakes made in the hunting-field with horses 

 that were dead beat ; and many a horse in such 

 a state has been rendered incapable of coming out 

 again for weeks, or, perhaps, for the remainder 

 of the season, from the (formerly almost con- 

 stant) use of the lancet on such occasions. People 

 have got wiser of late years in this respect, and 

 have learned that when nature is pro temporc 

 exhausted, exhausting it still more is not precisely 

 the way to accelerate recovery. I always carry, 

 when hunting, and indeed at most times, a lancet 

 about me, and it has at times been of use to my 

 friend's horses ; but when requested to use it, I 

 have much more frequently recommended a quart 

 of ale, with some spice, and a couple of glasses of 

 spirits in it, and the horse being got to the first 

 comfortable place of rest that could be had, and 

 either given or drenched with some well-made 

 gruel. There are cases, however, where copious 

 bleeding, and that done without hesitation, is 

 absolutely necessary ; and in such I have used 

 the lancet as freely as any one. To instance, 

 where, from great sudden exertion, we find the 



