"STHOtrGHTS UPON HtJNTING. 49 



I am not fond of hheding hounds, unlefs they 

 Want it; though it has long been a cuilom in my 

 kennel to '})hyfic them twice a year; after they 

 leave off hunting, and before they begin. It is 

 given in hot weather, and at an idle time. It 

 tools their bodies, and without doubt is of fer- 

 vice to them. \i a hound be in want of phylicj 

 1 prefer giving it in balls.* It is more eafy to 

 give in this manner the quantity he may want, 

 and you are more certain that he takes it. In 

 many kennels, they alfo bleed them twice a 

 year, and fome people think that it prevents 

 madnefs. The anointing of hounds, or drejjing 

 them, as huntfmen call it, makes them fine in 

 their coats: it may be done twice a year, or oft- 

 ner, if you find it neceflary. As I Ihall hereaf- 

 ter have occafion to write on the difcafes of 

 hounds, and their cures, I will fend you at the 

 fame time a receipt for this purpofe. During the 

 fummer months, when my hounds do not hunt, 

 they have feldom any fiefh allowed them, and 

 are kept low, contrary, I believe, to the ufual 

 praftice of mofi kennels, where mangy hounds 

 in fummer are but too often feen. Huntfmen 

 fometimes content thcmfelves with checking this 

 diforder, when, with lefs trouble, perhaps, they 



* One pound of antimony, four ounces of fulphur, and 

 fyrup of buckthorn q. f. to give it the conCftency of a ball, 

 Each, ball weighs about feven drachms, 



E might 



