954 VETEEINAEY HYGIENE 



done, and comprises a knowledge of horses, mules, donkeys, 

 oxen, camels, and elephants. 



The Food Sivpply to the animals of an army in the field 

 is met by the transport of grain and often forage, supple- 

 mented or replaced by local supplies. 



It is no use talking of local supplies when operating in 

 an inhospitable or unfriendly country ; in such, practically 

 everything that is required will have to be sent from the 

 base. When operations occur in civilized or partly civilized 

 countries some local supplies are available, but seldom 

 sufficient for a large army. If a line of rail exists no 

 difficulty is experienced in supplying both grain and forage, 

 while if no line of rail is available, and everything has to 

 be carried on wheels, nothing more than grain can be calcu- 

 lated upon, forage being far too heavy and bulky ; so that 

 the nature of the food supply depends upon the country 

 where the operations are occurring and the transport 

 facilities. Napoleon always made a country in which he 

 was campaigning support the war by seizing all food for 

 men and animals, but this admirable method of conducting 

 war is not now approved of, and though in the heart of an 

 enemy's country supplies can be seized as a matter of 

 urgency, they are paid for in full. Veterinary officers re- 

 quisitioning supplies or other stores should make an exact 

 entry in their note-book of what was taken. A pencilled 

 receipt handed to the owner may easily be manipulated. 



From what we have said it is very little use discussing 

 the food question ; everybody knows animals require food, 

 no one has ever complained of the food supply being in 

 excess of requirements, but it is frequently deficient from 

 causes which are not under control and cannot be foreseen. 



Every opportunity should be taken to supplement supplies 

 from local sources ; fields of growing grain may occasionally 

 be met with and utilized, care being taken to limit the 

 amount, as a sudden change of food is harmful. The 

 various millets and Indian corn may be used ; it has been 

 known for a force to be very short of food for their animals, 

 and unable to recognise a neighbouring field of millet ! 



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