118 TREATMENT AND 



" Of lesser ills the Muse declines to sing, 

 Nor stoops so low ; of these each groom can tell 

 The proper remedy." 



I wish this worthy gentleman, to whom we have 

 ab'eady been so much obliged, had been less 

 sparing of his instructions ; since it is possible 

 grooms may not have all the knowledge he sup- 

 poses them to have, and their masters may stand 

 in need of it. No man, I believe, will complain 

 of being too well informed ; nor is any know- 

 ledge unnecessary which is likely to be put in 

 practice. The executive part is fully sufficient 

 to trust in a groom's hands. The advice Somer- 

 vile gives on the subject of madness is worth 

 your notice : 



" When Sirius reigns, and the sun's parching beams 



Bake the dry gaping surface, visit thou 



Each ev'n and morn, with quick observant eye, 



Thy panting pack. If in dark sullen mood 



The glouting hound refuse his wonted meal, 



Retiring to some close, obscure retreat, 



Gloomy, disconsolate ; with speed remove 



The poor infectious wretch, and in strong chains 



Bind him suspected. Thus that dire disease 



"Which art can't cure, wise caution may prevent." 



Plenty of water, whey, greens, physic, air, and 

 exercise, such as I have before mentioned, have 

 hitherto preserved my kennel from its baneful 

 influence ; and I make no doubt you will also 



