HUNTING DIRECTORY. 125 



inclined to think that hounds will derive benefit from 

 bleeding much oftener than Beckford seems to suppose. 

 A dog is relieved by bleeding in many of the diseases to 

 which he is liable, and in none more than the distemper. 

 In the first place, it should be considered that the dog's 

 skin is not porous, that he never perspires ; and that 

 consequently oppressed nature is not relieved in him by 

 that general and copious evacuation, which is frequently 

 found so salutary in man, as well as in many animals : in 

 many of the casual illnesses of the dog (to say nothing 

 of his well known diseases) there seems to be a determi- 

 nation of blood towards the head ; or, at least, the animal 

 will appear dull and heavy about the eyes — in all cases 

 of this description, bleeding invariably relieves him. 



" It has long been the custom in my kennel (continues 

 the same writer) to physick the hounds twice a year — 

 after they leave off hunting and before they begin. It 

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

 their bodies, and without doubt is of service to them. 

 If a hound is in want of physick, I prefer giving it in balls." 

 I have already observed, that when a hound is in good 

 health, I should be seldom disposed to physick him ; and 

 I cannot help thinking that periodical physicking is quite 

 unnecessary. If a hovmd be perfectly well, what more 

 can be required ; and under such circumstances, gene- 

 rally speaking, to administer physick seems utterly un- 

 called for, if not altogether ridiculous. I differ from 

 Beckford also in his mode of administering medicine to 

 hounds : I prefer mixing it in their meat, to giving it 

 " in balls." His physick, he observes, was composed of 

 '* two pounds of sulphur, one pound of antimony, and a 



h3 



