EQUIPMENT 249 



prevent drivers from changing saddles, because the size 

 and shape of the humps are so different that what will 

 fit one animal will not another. Too much attention 

 cannot be devoted to the constant repairing and refit- 

 ting of equipment, but more especially to the stuffing of 

 saddles, and particularly in the case of thin and debili- 

 tated animals, who are specially liable to galls and 

 sores. 



As soon as a camel is galled, on the principle that 

 ' a stitch in time saves nine,' he should be unloaded and 

 unsaddled, and his load transferred to a spare animal. 

 If in a case of necessity you are obliged to go on 

 using him, remove a certain amount of the stuffing by 

 unstitching the lining, or if this is scanty, move it 

 to either side and keep it in its place by a few stitches, 

 so as to leave a hollow over the sore, and so avoid 

 pressure on it. Do not on any account allow a hole to 

 be cut in the pad, as I have frequently seen done on 

 service ; for besides spoiling the pad permanently, unless 

 the hole has been cut large enough and very carefully, 

 its rough and jagged edges will help to irritate the 

 sore, as also to enlarge it, or possibly cause a fresh one. 



In stuffing saddles it is very advisable not to go stuffing 

 to -extremes. With an insufficiency of stuffing the 

 weight of the load is apt to bring so much pressure on 

 the framework as to make it felt through the pads, and 

 so produce friction. On the other hand, do not over- 

 stuff them, because when too thick the pads will not 

 conform to the shape of the back, become clumsy and 

 lumpy, and galls are the result. The pads ought never 

 to be allowed to take the shape of the back, but should 

 in the first instance be stuffed to fit accordingly. 



