316 THE CAMEL 



Examine action in kneeling and rising. With an average load 

 on he ought to kneel and rise without any difficulty, 

 and if he does it is a bad sign, and arises either from 

 weakness or debility. 



Firing Orientals and Africans resort to firing as a cure or 



remedy for many ills, so do not unnecessarily under- 

 rate a camel so marked, unless the marks are very 

 recent, and on the tendons of the legs, between the 

 knees and hocks. 



Eyesight Should you be at all in doubt as to an animal's sight, 



move or pass your hand within a few inches of his eyes, 

 and if he does not flinch, or only very slightly, you can 

 form your own conclusions. If you are not satisfied, 

 as a further test hold out a bunch of green or tempting 

 fodder, of a kind that he relishes, a short distance away, 

 say about two or three yards in front of him ; but you 

 must watch him very closely, as at this distance he may 

 be guided by the smell. 



Always be suspicious of a camel that is off his feed 

 or drink, for this is one of the surest signs that he is 

 ailing, although it may of course arise from temporary 

 indisposition only, still, if you are buying against time 

 you cannot tell. ' A camel in good condition should 

 have a healthy appetite and drink well, and as a 

 general rule most camels in this state border on the 

 ravenous. The stomach of a well- conditioned animal 

 should be well rounded, in addition to a full firm 

 hump. 



Mange This of course is serious, because it implies impurity 



ol blood and general unhealthiness of condition, besides 

 being infectious ; but it can be cured easily enough, 

 and ought not to stand in the way if animals are 



