50 REGIMEN PREPARATORY 



they also bleed them twice a-year, and some 

 people think it prevents madness. The anoint- 

 ing of hounds, or dressing them, as huntsmen 

 call it, makes them fine in their coats : it may be 

 done twice a-year, or oftener, if you find it ne- 

 cessary. As I shall hereafter have occasion to 

 write on the diseases of hounds, and their cures, 

 I will send you at the same time a receipt for 

 this purpose. During the summer months, when 

 my hounds do not hunt, they have seldom any 

 flesh allowed them, and are kept low, contrary, 

 I believe, to the usual practice of most kennels, 

 where mangy hounds in summer are but too often 

 seen. Huntsmen sometimes content themselves 

 with checking this disorder, when with less trou- 

 ble perhaps they might prevent it. A regular 

 course of whey and vegetables during the hot 

 months must certainly be wholesome, and is, 

 without doubt, the cause that a mangy hound is 

 an unusual sight in my kennel. Every Monday 

 and Thursday my hounds go for whey till the 

 hunting-season begins; are kept out several 

 hours ; and are often made to swim through 

 rivers during the hot weather. After their last 

 physic, and before they begin hunting, they are 

 exercised on the turnpike-road to harden their 

 feet, which are washed with strong brine as soon 



