SCIENCE OF FOXHUNTING. 267 



kennels some thirty years ago, but unless great care 

 and attention were bestowed upon the treatment of 

 the hounds whilst undergoing and after the pro- 

 cess, more bad than good results followed. We 

 tried it ourselves for some time, but were at last 

 obliged to give it up, from shortness of hands to do 

 the work effectually. The theory is good, but the 

 practice inadequate to carry out the system. When 

 hounds return to their kennel draggled, dirty, and 

 bruised from hard exertions, we know perfectly 

 well that a bath of warm water and broth is the 

 most certain to assuage all irritability from wounds 

 inflicted by briers and thorns, and by removing 

 the dirt adhering to their bodies, the greatest of 

 palliatives to the corporeal frame ; but unless each 

 individual can be rubbed thoroughly dry after this 

 operation, the object we have in view must be 

 frustrated. With human bodies, the case is very 

 different; they are not hirsute animals, and their 

 bodies can be completely cleaned, and made dry 

 and comfortable in a few seconds ; by using a good 

 rough towel, no dampness remains upon the skin, 

 and the pores from friction are opened ; but unless 

 the same process can be adopted with hounds, 

 unless every hair upon their bodies can be separated 

 and worked from dampness into a dry and glowing 

 state, the experiment will not only prove fruitless, 

 but detrimental to health. 



To show its inconsistency, we must refer to the 

 modus operandi, set forth by an eminent writer and 

 clever master of foxhounds, who suggests that the 

 hounds should be plunged into these warm broth 



