314 Our Noblest Friend, The Horse 



advice, persisted in your erratic course, and poor 

 Billy was converted into fertiliser and knife-handles 

 long before his time. 



A sick horse is generally rather nasty, at least 

 so far as head and lung troubles go, and rigid clean- 

 liness must be enforced. The nose, eyes, the manger, 

 etc., must be daily cleaned and disinfected, as to 

 the surrounding woodwork, the head being, if the 

 throat is sore or if there is heavy accumulation of 

 mucus, steamed — vinegar and hot water being as 

 good as anything. The head and neck must be pro- 

 tected by a hood, after being carefully dried. Good 

 nursing consists as much in knowing what to let 

 alone as in what to do. Do not " get on " your 

 patient's nerves by fussing about him. A clean, 

 tempting bed. a darkened stall, suitable clothing, 

 bandaging if necessary, plenty of air, his nourish- 

 ment in small quantity and tempting in form — and 

 then leave him in peace. 



The amateur and a thermometer make a " pan- 

 icky " combination, and this useful instrument causes 

 to such a one more anxiety than relief, for the reason 



