20 Stable Management and the Prevention of Disease 



so as to prevent dust, leaves, and insects from dropping in. 

 Without this precaution a mass of black putrid mud, some- 

 times two or three feet deep, will gradually accumulate at 

 the bottom. 



On looking into an uncovered well there will frequently 

 be seen a quantity of dead beetles and other insects floating 

 about, as well as live frogs and snakes. The last of course 

 soon die, and assist in polluting the water. 



Deinking-teough. 



The trough from which the horses drink is rarely supplied 

 with running water as in English troop stables, but is filled 

 with water drawn from the wells, in large leather bags, by 

 the help of a pair of bullocks. It should be scrubbed and 

 washed out daily, otherwise it soon becomes foul from dust 

 and from the saliva of the horses dropping into it when they 

 are drinking. 



When horses are taken to the trough a European should 

 be present in order to ensure their being allowed to drink as 

 much as they require. Some natives think that much water 

 is injurious, and like to lead away the horses the first time 

 they raise their heads while drinking. 



During the extremely hot weather soldiers are not allowed, 

 except in individual cases, to leave the barracks between about 

 nine in the morning and five in the evening. During those 

 hours the saises alone feed and water the horses. The European 

 stable-orderly ought to be present when they do so, partly^to 

 ensure every horse being talcen to the drinking-trough before 

 and not after he is fed, and partly to ensure every horse re- 

 ceiving his food. 



Horses ought to be watered fully half an hour before they 

 are fed, and in very hot weather should be taken to the 

 trough four times daily. 



Deied Grass. 



In India real hay is rarely to be obtained. In some parts 

 of the country the grass, when long, is cut just above the 



Digitized by Microsoft® 



