88 INSTRUCTIONAL WORK BY A.V.S. 



The avoidance of wastage is one of the business propositions 

 of the Army, and a knowledge of business has under all 

 circumstances to be acquired. 



In the Kegular Divisions and Cavalry of our pre-war Army, 

 the knowledge and art of Animal Management was of a high 

 order. It had been duly taught as a part of a routine system 

 in units and at schools. The fine touch was never lost during 

 the war, and the leaven that leaventh the lump remained to 

 continue the process. 



Looking at the question, however, from the individual point 

 of view, it is necessary that arrangeraents should exist both in 

 peace and war whereby both Officers, and Non-commissioned 

 Officers can conveniently have the principles of Animal 

 Management, and the physiological laws which govern health 

 and avoid sickness, taught and explained to thena both by 

 precept and by example. 



It is all a matter of hygiene, and rightly it should come 

 under that heading, for there is the Hygiene of the body in 

 its various aspects of form and function as well as the Hygiene 

 of the stable. 



Precept is founded on a knowledge of Veterinary Anatomy 

 and Physiology, therefore it is that Veterinary Service is 

 charged with the duty of instruction with regard to the 

 preservation of health of animals, and advice respecting the 

 prevention of disease and inefiiciency in its various forms. 

 This does not affect the responsibility of Unit Commanders 

 towards their animals : but it is the combination of responsi-, 

 bility and the assistance derived from expert sources that 

 makes for health and efficiency. 



I am of opinion that Animal Management or Animal 

 Hygiene (I dislike that the term Horse-mastership should 

 come within the purview of Military Training of the General 

 Staff Branch of the Army) and the curricula of Instructional 

 Schools and Classes should be included in their training 

 arrangements. The inclusion adds very little to General Staff 

 duties, and the interest would be an incentive towards efficiency. 

 Administrative arrangements would not of course be interfered 

 with. 



