VETERINARY HOSPITALS. 27 



set in tessellated form in chalk and cinders or sand. Such a, 

 floor lasts indefinitely and is not slippery. 



Water troughs. A great feature of Veterinary Hospitals and 

 Depots was water troughs. The earlier ones were wooden 

 with zinc lining, or canvas on wooden frame, but the latest and 

 cheapest were of reinforced concrete and were made by the 

 hospital personnel on the spot. Each line of stables had its. 

 own water trough with water laid on, so that if any untoward 

 outbreak of contagious disease occurred, its spread was limited. 



It is very difficult in a limited space .to chronicle all that 

 appertains to a Veterinary Hospital, but before passing on to 

 notice its legitimate function, there are a few things worthy of 

 mention. 



The category of the personnel has been previously alluded to. 

 They were most comfortably hutted, and it would have been 

 impossible to have found any body of men even in peace more 

 blessed with comfort in their well-ordered barrack rooms, their 

 messes and dining halls. Their pleasures were not forgotten, 

 and there were Y.M.C.A. and Church Army Huts, and Force 

 Canteens for their off times. Gardening was the order of the 

 day when work was done, and to such a degree was this 

 encouraged that the majority of Veterinary Hospitals were 

 self-supporting in vegetables for the whole year. 



The good order and well kept premises reflected on the 

 Well-being and smartness of the men, and made for the more 

 successful working. Even the animals appreciated their cleanly 

 and it may be said beautiful surroundings. For them it was 

 intended to grow green crops and roots all the year round, and 

 sanction had been given for 100 acres of land per hospital for 

 the pm-pose, but the end of the war came before it could be 

 carried into effect. 



Amongst other economies may be mentioned the extraction 

 of gas (carburetted hydrogen) from horse manure at one or 

 two hospitals, and the utilisation of it for cooking horse food. 

 It is a simple process, but requires a pit for proper production. 



Straw bedding was not possible, It was much better to put 

 such a valuable article into the animals bellies than under their 

 feet. Each Veterinary Hospital and Convalescent Horse Depot 

 was equipped with power chaff-cutting and corn-crushing 

 machinery and there was nothing wasted. 



