GENERAL EXCITING CAUSES 43 



no uncommon thing for a farmer to take his nag straight 

 away from pasture, give him a feed of corn, and drive 

 him, full of grass, long-coated, ungroomed, and per- 

 spiring, six, eight, or ten miles to the nearest market 

 town. Here he is allowed to stand huddled up with 

 several of his fellows in a dirty and badly-ventilated 

 stable, from eight, nine, or ten o'clock in the morning, 

 until three, four, or five in the afternoon, during which 

 time he has not eaten or drunk a mouthful. He is then 

 geared to the cart again, and does the return journey. 

 His reward for that, on reaching home, is an extra large 

 feed of corn, given at a time when I unhesitatingly say 

 he should have less ; after which he is again turned out 

 into the field for the night, to stand, perchance, the whole 

 of the time in a pouring rain.' 



Referring again to Percivall's observed immunity of 

 the hunter, it must not be forgotten that this animal, 

 as compared with the cart-horse, has the advantage of 

 the excitement of the chase. For him it has not been a 

 day of ceaseless, unvaried toil. Every huntsman knows 

 full well that the steed, as much as the rider, partakes of 

 the exhilarating influences engendered by the sport. In 

 other words, it is the matter of temperament, already 

 referred to in Chapter IV. 



The Influence of the Time of Day on the 

 Production of CoHc. — As far as I remember. 

 General F. Smith was the first to point out the 

 enormous number of colic cases that occurred after the 

 hour of 2.30 p.m., as compared with those occurring 

 earlier in the day. Following his example, I have 

 tabulated my cases, and the table on p. 44 will 

 show that the majority of cases in this district are 

 attacked between the hours of 12 noon and 7 p.m. 

 inclusive. 



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