18G THE NOBLE SCIENCE. 



diligently fomented till a whitish film, or slour/h/" super- 

 venes, it is rarely that they are blemished. For hounds 

 shaken in the shoulders, or otherwise injured in work, 

 there is nothing to equal a warm bath on the simple 

 plan which I give at the head of this chapter, not as an ori- 

 ginal invention, or as being very uncommon ; but because, 

 in my visits to different kennels this summer, I have found 

 none so provided. It consists of a w^ooden contrivance, 

 in shape such as represented in the preceding sketch, 

 in breadth capable of admitting a couple of hounds 

 abreast, with two slight movable bars of iron cross- 

 ing the top, to prevent an exit or change of position. 

 Hounds may stand thus, on the day after hunting, or, 

 if necessary, before their rest on their return, for any 

 given time ; and unless too suddenly exposed impro- 

 perly to cold air, are not more liable afterwards to 

 cold or rheumatism. It is absurd to suppose that 

 hounds will be more hardy, and less liable to the 

 effects of bad weather, if kept cold in their kennel. 

 The warmer and more comfortable they are kept 

 within doors, the better can they battle with the ele- 

 ments without. It is, beyond doubt, a great principle 

 freely to admit 



" The nitrous air and purifying breeze," 



whether in a kennel or a palace ; but there are proper 

 times for such a circulation, in both. We open the 



• " Slough— The part that separates from a foul sore." — Johnson. 

 " At the next dressing, I found a slough come away with the dressings, 

 which was the sordes." — Wiseman. 



