HEATING DRINKING WATER 309 



it would be both profitable and humane, for without 

 water they often suffer when sweating profusely. 

 Horses naturally drink when they come from their 

 labors to the stable, and this is well if they do not 

 drink too much; for water taken when the animal is 

 thirsty, before eating, quickly passes into the circula- 

 tion, whereas the same amount of water taken after a 

 hearty meal would tend, as before stated, to arrest 

 digestion. Cold water taken in large quantities, when 

 the horse is unusually depressed or when over -warm, 

 may chill the stomach to the point where it reacts but 

 slowly, in which case colic or founder may result. If 

 reaction comes promptly, as it should when a cold- 

 water internal bath is taken, the stomach is stimulated 

 instead of being depressed. If horses are thirsty when 

 fed, they do not relish their food. A full supply of 

 water in the system is quite as necessary as a full 

 supply of food. It should never be forgotten that water 

 is the great vehicle which carries food into, and most 

 of the refuse material out of, circulation. 



Heating water for cattle has been tried to some ex- 

 tent, but the practice has been largely abandoned, the 

 reason for which I think is explainable. First, no suit- 

 able appliances were at hand when the attempt was 

 made to heat the water, and the temperature was not 

 raised above lukewarm. Lukewarm water is not only 

 less palatable than cool or hot water but may be posi- 

 tively nauseating. Water raised to 98 or 100 Fahr. 

 is highly relished by both cattle and horses in cold 

 weather. Hot water saves food, promotes health and 

 digestion, and may, under certain conditions, prevent 



