178 Feeding, 



with his equally unfortunate companions in exile, 

 the cab and cart-horse, anything will, it is thought, 

 do for them. Nothing is more false than such 

 an argument. As we grow older, however, and 

 with repeated opportunities, the absurdity of the 

 system may be shown up, and thus gradually com- 

 pelled to disappear from its strongholds. 



Feeding after work, when the exertion has been 

 very severe and prolonged, is a matter requiring 

 great care. Among hunters and racehorses 

 nothing can be more marked than the attention 

 paid to them when they return to the stable. 



It must be apparent to all who give the subject 

 any consideration, that after a severe run with 

 hounds, sharp race, or the drawing of heavy loads, 

 much wear and tear of the whole system takes 

 place. It is not merely the muscles which move 

 the limbs, but the muscles also which regulate 

 circulation of the blood and digestion of the food. 

 In a word, all are tired and need rest. When 

 the hunter or racer arrives at his stable, so 

 well are those in charge aware practically of this 

 fact, that they avoid torturing the stomach by 

 causing it to perform unnecessary labour. The 

 mouth is washed out, the face, nostrils, and eyes 

 carefully sponged with cold water, which refreshes 

 the creature almost beyond estimate, and when 

 that is done he receives a quantity of warm oat- 

 meal gruel which has been prepared during the 

 afternoon. After taking off the rough dirt, 

 washing the legs, &c., he is left for a time. On 



