STABLES 3 



is little danger from the effects of the tropical sun. The 

 best proof of this important principle is afforded by the 

 fact that, however powerful the noonday sun may be, and 

 however fiercely the hot wind may blow, neither man nor 

 beast will suffer much from the high temperature when 

 out in the open, if they be under the shade of a tree with 

 thick foliage. But if, on the contrary, the current of air 

 be impeded by a wall, screen, or other object, the distress- 

 ing effects of the heat will be felt in a moment. Stagna- 

 tion of air, in most cases, is the cause of the many instances 

 of fever which occur during the hot weather, especially in 

 large cities like Calcutta, where houses are crowded to- 

 gether. I have seen, on different occasions, horses that 

 were almost dying from the effects of heat in stables situ- 

 ated on low and confined positions, recover their condition 

 and health in a very few days after being removed to 

 others on high and airy ground. 



I have tried the experiment of keeping a race-horse in 

 my own house during the hot weather ; but he suffered 

 far more, even under a punkah, from the confined atmo- 

 sphere inside than he had done in his stable, which was 

 many degrees hotter, but which had a free current of air 

 through it. 



If valuable horses be kept during the hot months in the 

 plains, punkahs may be used with advantage. If they 

 cannot be conveniently fixed, and the horses feel the heat 

 much, a couple of coolies may be told off to each animal, 

 to keep him cool during the midday heat with a large 

 hand-punkah. 



I have always found that, when proper precautions have 

 been adopted, horses in dry climates, such as those of the 



