166 ANIMALS USED BY THE SHOOTER. 



pink two drachms, boiling water four ounces j mix, and let 

 it stand till cold, then pour off the infusion, and give as a 

 drench. 



PREPARATION FOR WORK. 



Until tJie shooting season the dogs are too apt to be 

 neglected, and are often left in kennel for weeks and even 

 months at a time. When this is allowed they become fat, 

 inside and out, and they are not able to work for want of 

 muscular power and wind, as well as from the tenderness to 

 which the feet are subject. Without constant use all the 

 organs of the body become inefficient, and this is more par- 

 ticularly the case with the muscular system. The shooter is 

 well aware of this fact, as exhibited in his own person, and 

 yet he will often ignore it as concerns the inmates of his 

 kennel. He should remember that the pointer travels over 

 six times the ground which he does, and at a fast pace, 

 instead of a walk. But the experienced sportsman is well 

 aware of the necessity of preparation in the case of his dogs, and 

 for at least a month before they will be wanted he sends them 

 to exercise daily. Even this time is not long enough if they 

 have been confined throughout the summer, for though their 

 muscles and wind may be got right in that time, their feet 

 will not be sufficiently hardened. It is in this part that 

 dogs generally fail, and to keep them hard and tough 

 throughout the month of September, in a dry season, they 

 must have been regularly inured to the road by a good run 

 on it once a week, at least, all through the summer. The 

 horny matter which covers the pads inevitably wears away in 

 work, and if it is not rapidly formed again, the foot becomes 

 tender and the dog is lamed. A habit of quick growth in 

 this part is therefore essential, and this is produced by con- 

 stant friction. Some dogs naturally have thin soles, but 

 even these may be made thicker by use ; while the strong, 

 horny pad may be rendered perfectly invulnerable. Let 

 every shooter see that these precautions are used, and he 

 will not suffer from the disappointments which are so fre- 

 quent, owing to their neglect. Many a mistake is caused by 

 want of condition, and not from want of nose, for a blown 

 and exhausted animal is not in possession of the sense of 

 smell. 



