122 Men, Mines, and Animals in South Africa. 



in even better condition than they were in Tvhen 

 they were originally Id ought. 



The horse sickness in South Africa causes such 

 heavy loss that I am tempted to dwell on this 

 subject. Most authorities are of opinion that it is 

 useless to purchase horses for African journeys, 

 unless they are what is termed " salted," that is, 

 have had and have recovered from the sickness. 

 Such horses, however, are, for the most part, 

 sorry, -^vTetched steeds, without spirit, with very 

 inferior strength. They by no means enjoy per- 

 fect immunity from further attacks of sickness. 

 Large prices, moreover, ranging from 50/. up- 

 wards, are asked for them. Major Giles resolved 

 to ascertain whether by great and constant care 

 he could not, at least at this season of the year, 

 preserve his horses from the sickness. He had to 

 encounter a great deal of derision from persons 

 of all sorts of experience, who freely 23rophesied 

 he would not bring a horse alive to Tuli. Mr. 

 McKay, who undertook the charge of the horses, 

 gave the following details of his management. 

 First, the horses are never watered before 11 a.m. 

 or after 3 p.m. This precaution is adopted against 

 the evils occasioned by the morning and evening 

 dews, at times and in certain jDlaces very heavy. 

 Secondly, when outspanned, the horses are covered 

 with a horse-rug, buckling over the chest, and 

 Avith a blanket rug, doubled, coming well back 

 over the loins. At sundown the horses are fed 

 in nosebags, the bottoms of which have been care- 

 fully tarred. Three times a week each horse has 



