XXXU BELLS AND RATTLES. 



to the rattling of the beads. These were spheres of lignum vitse or 

 bone, strung on a strap which was buckled around the pastern 

 loosely, and the effort to throw them off caused a sharper bendintr 

 of the knee. There are still cases where bells or rattles will be 

 found beneficial, notwithstanding the modem appliances have almost 

 banished them from the trotting stables. Many of the younger 

 trainers never saw them, and would be at loss to know what they 

 were intended for. 



In fact, the information in the " Dexter circular," with which the 

 country was .flooded some fifteen years ago, and of which the sales 

 were enormous, was merely a recommendation to use the rattles, 

 which would be sent on receipt of so much money. The cost of the 

 circular was $1.00, and a great number who got them supposed it 

 was a new invention. In the preliminary newspaper advertisements 

 the claim was made that a great discovery had been made in the 

 education of trotters, with the usual number of certificates, guaran- 

 teeing its efficacy. After all, it may be that a majority of those who 

 obtained the information wei-e benefited more than the cost of the 

 circular and rattles. 



