142 THE EFFECT OF HEAT ON ANIMALS 



into the shower from the rear of a watering-cart, and 

 there is little doubt that an occasional sluicing from a 

 hose-pipe would probably do much for the health of 

 the draught-horse in the dog-days. Deer both bathe 

 and seek a draught in such weather. On one very hot 

 day lately a red-deer hind took possession of an islet in 

 Penn Pond in Richmond Park, swimming there and 

 back, and spending the greater part of the morning in 

 Robinson Crusoe fashion on the damp islet. Sheep do 

 not suffer from the highest temperature of the English 

 climate if shorn and left quiet with plenty of water. 

 But any driving or travelling causes them the utmost 

 distress at such times, and a careful shepherd prefers to 

 make the common and daily change of pasture early in 

 the morning or late in the evening. Dogs do not often 

 die of sunstroke, but if made to work in great heat have 

 violent fits and foaming at the mouth. Spaniels, if 

 used for rabbiting in September, are very liable to these 

 fits, and are cured by pouring cold water on the head 

 and back of the neck. * Mad dog !' is the silly cry 

 usually raised on these occasions, though there is not 

 the least cause for alarm, as the flow of saliva is quite 

 harmless. When lying about the house at their ease 

 individual dogs seem to take different views of the 

 effects of hot weather. Most seek some cool material 

 to lie on tiles or grass for choice, rather than rugs or 

 mats. They also lie on their sides with their legs 



