TEEATMENT AETEE THE CHASE. 69 



thoroughly washed from head to foot with warm water and 

 soap. The feet and legs during the process should be rapidly- 

 examined for bruises, sprains, thorns, and in short injuries of 

 every kind. After washing, he should be scraped as dry as 

 possible, then energetically rubbed for ten or fifteen minutes 

 with dry wash leathers. He should then be clothed in woollen 

 clothes — consisting of hood, breast cloth, and a couple of large 

 woollen rugs over the body, closely secured to it by means of a 

 surcingle. The limbs should also be wrapped with woollen 

 bandages, from the feet to as high above the knees as possible. 

 He should then be led into his stall, and more warm gruel 

 allowed, after which he should be sparingly fed with boiled 

 corn, and a little bran in combination, and left to himself for 

 about two hours, or longer if necessary ; but two hours will 

 generally prove time sufficient wherein to dry the animal. 



The damp upon the skin will ascend through the clothing, 

 and lie upon the surface of the topmost rug, which remove. 

 The bandages must also be removed, and each limb briskly 

 hand-rubbed for five or ten minutes ; then put on fresh ban- 

 dages ; give more warm gruel, or a little lukewarm water, also 

 a mash of boiled com and bran, and a little hay. Next make 

 the animal a comfortable bed, and leave him alone for the night. 

 The morning following, the light feeding should be repeated, the 

 feet and limbs again carefully examined, and if found right, he 

 should be taken out and gently exercised for about half an hour, 

 and afterwards thoroughly groomed. 



The quantity of food to be given should be slowly increased, 

 as the vital powers return to their original vigour. Be cautious, 

 however, and refrain from any approach towards glutting the 

 animal. 



Such is a general outline of the best known course to pursue 

 with a hunter under ordinary circumstances ; but unfortunately, 



