CHAPTER XII 



SOME REMARKS ON THE HUNTER 

 IN HEALTH 



A PRACTICAL horseman will, in all probability, 

 feel amused on being informed of those con- 

 ditions which are ordinarily regarded as in- 

 dicative of the healthy state of an animal, and 

 it will be argued that one of the most satis- 

 factory methods of ascertaining the standard of 

 health, comprises that of thriftiness, and abilities 

 to undergo the highest degree of exertion with 

 a minimum of physical expenditure. The truth 

 of such an argument is indisputable, neverthe- 

 less it is necessary for one to make oneself 

 acquainted with what may be termed, for con- 

 venience, the "barometrical indicators'* of the 

 animal economy. Such indications are afforded 

 by the visible mucous membranes, by the pulse, 

 by the breathing, the temperature of the body, 



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