WATERING 137 



effects, and most likely collapses entirely. Equally so Watering 



on full 



on a full one. V.-S. Steel, speaking of watering camels and empty 

 after a long exhaustive march, or after unavoidable 

 prolonged abstinence, says : c With regard to water, it 

 should not be given after a full meal, but is grateful 

 ever to the wearied organ, rapidly restores the normal 

 fluidity of the blood, which has been partially destroyed 

 by abstinence, and with the above exception may be 

 given whenever the animal feels inclined to drink it.' 

 But if he had seen, as I have, the evil of watering 

 camels on empty stomachs after prolonged abstinence 

 and a long harassing march, he would agree with me, 

 I feel sure, on this point. One instance I can recall, in 

 the Bayuda desert, which occurred in January, after a 

 march of 100 miles, across firm sand chiefly, and under 

 a hot sun. It was on the afternoon of the fifth day that 

 we arrived in Gakdool, and the animals had carried an 

 average load of 400 pounds. I was busily engaged else- 

 where, and before I could prevent it one division of 

 about 150 camels had been allowed to drink their fill. 

 Those I saw when I came up towards the finish were 

 simply ravenous, and were emptying bucket after 

 bucket. After a careful calculation I computed that on 

 an average each camel drank from fifteen to twenty 

 gallons. The second division, when its turn came, were 

 only allowed four gallons per animal, and were then 

 sent grazing, such as it was, for five or six hours. 

 After this a small ration of grain (the only food we had, 

 and that in very small quantities) was served out all 

 round, and then the camels of the second division were 

 permitted to drink as much as they liked. Next day 

 the majority of the first division showed unmistakable 



