MILITAEY HYGIENE 967 



their way to hospital, fresh horses will take their places, 

 the same saddles will be placed on these, and the result can 

 be imagined. Nor is it possible on service to prevent this 

 sort of thing occurring. Disinfection of saddles, blankets, 

 etc., is difficult enough in time of peace, almost impossible 

 on service both from lack of material and facilities. Still, 

 if the disinfectant exists, the plan suggested at p. 410 is the 

 only one to adopt for the blankets, while the saddlery may 

 be steeped for a short time in the same bath. 



Lameness. — The most common seat of lameness on 

 service, as in peace, is situated in the foot; the most 

 common foot trouble is laminitis, but quittors from injured 

 coronets and neglected suppuration of the foot are very 

 common and extremely unsatisfactory. 



The Loss of Horses under Fire is always greater than the 

 loss of men, due to the fact they present a larger target. 

 We made an examination of this question some years ago,* 

 taking all the available figures during the 179 years prior 

 to the Battle of Sedan ; this period was divided into three 

 groups corresponding with the change in firearms, and the 

 following facts ascertained : 



During the period 1691 to 1799, for every 100 

 cavalrymen disabled there were 148 horses. 



During the period 1800 to 1865, for every 100 

 cavalrymen disabled there were 121 horses, and 

 for every 100 artillerymen there were 133 horses. 



During the period 1866 to 1870, for every 100 

 cavalrymen disabled there were 141 horses, and 

 for every 100 artillerymen there were 183 horses. 



In the examination of the above figures the killed, 

 wounded and missing are included in the term ' disabled '; 

 it is unfortunate that through the number of horses actually 

 present at the engagements not being stated, it was found 

 impossible to give a percentage due to losses under fire. 

 In memorable losses, such as the Charge of the Union and 

 Heavy Brigades at Waterloo, of the Light Brigade in the 



* Op. cit. 



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