118 TACT AGAINST FICTION. 



I had tlic l)est veterinary advice that London coukl 

 afford, and post-mortem examinations made in the 

 case of every homid. Their oatmeal was changed, 

 and tlie meal tliey had been eating was given to 

 other tilings, as well as being tested for any latent 

 poison ; but no research that we could make gave 

 any elucidation to the matter. My hounds kept 

 dving, from one to two to three or four in a week, 

 and not a remedy of any kind could be found. 

 After a time no more deaths occurred, and all went 

 Avell as usual, nothing of the sort ever happening in 

 a kennel of mine again. 



The worst visitation that a kennel of foxliounds 

 can have, or, indeed, any other kennel, is from the 

 distemper. This devastating curse comes into all 

 kennels in the spring with the year's entry of 

 young hounds. It must come, and they are sure 

 to have it once in their lives ; and they may have 

 it again by contact a second time, but generally not 

 so severe. After having had it, and they are 

 recovered from its multitudinous effects, those that 

 have had it are safe from it again, unless from 

 inocidation by the discharge that emanates from 

 the noses of others. In cases of such contact, which 

 a careful huntsman ought never to permit, the 



