MILITARY HYGIENE 941 



tropical or subtropical country feel the heat, and seek for 

 shade nearly as much as man. 



Once an animal is acclimatized, and is receiving the best 

 of care and attention, living in the open in all weathers — 

 heat, rain, cold, dust, wind, ground baked as hard as 

 cement, or churned into a quagmire into which he sinks 

 over his fetlocks — none of these make any difference to his 

 general health. He feels, or at any rate looks, very 

 miserable in wet weather but it does not hurt him. 



Yet we would give cover to all animals as affording com- 

 fort, shelter from wind, rain, and sun, a dry standing, and 

 no loss of forage such as bad weather in the open entails. 



A roof and an impervious floor are all that is required for 

 horses in any country, and though the remarks made above 

 apply mainly to tropical and subtropical countries, this 

 suggestion of a simple shed applies to all countries hot or 

 cold. Walls are unnecessary if a verandah is used ; while 

 wind or driving rain can be kept out by means of canvas 

 wind-screens attached to the verandah, and capable of being 

 rolled up out of the way when not required. The tempera- 

 ture of the stable should never, even in the depth of winter, 

 be more than a degree or two above that of the external 

 air ; in other words, the animals should live in the open 

 but with none of the discomforts of this mode of life. 



The effect of this on the skin will naturally show itself, 

 but it is absurd to expect the same bloom and satin condition 

 of coat seen in a civil stable where they are obtained through 

 treating the animal as a hot-house plant, by keeping the stable 

 at 60° F. and permitting two or three rugs to be worn. 



A horse intended for war must live a more natural 

 existence; feed him well, water him, look after him, and 

 exposure in an acclimatized animal is borne without loss. 

 Underfeed or neglect him, and the hardships above named 

 at once accentuate the bad state of affairs. 



Hospitals.— At p. 351 will be found a short description 

 of the buildings and arrangements needed for a hospital, 

 and for military purposes we have little to add to what is 

 there laid down. 



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