MILITAEY HYGIENE 971 



estimate for animals entering on a campaign in a condition 

 of fitness will not be exceeded. 



This matter of ' condition ' is the crux of the entire 

 question, and leads us to examine the methods by which 

 condition can be obtained in the simplest possible manner 

 among a large body of horses, and how their management 

 may be systematized so as to render the reserve horses of 

 an army in the field being made and kept fit, with no loop- 

 hole for neglect in their general system of management. 



This scheme* has been practically employed in a 

 campaign, so that it cannot be consigned to the realm of 

 theory, while the practical results impressed all who had an 

 opportunity of observing what method, system, and intelli- 

 gence are capable of producing. 



As the reserve of horses in the field are held on charge of 

 the Eemount Department, we may fitly describe the follow- 

 ing as the organization of a Eemount Depot in time of 

 war. 



ORGANIZATION OP REMOUNT DEPOTS IN WAR.t 



On the outbreak of hostilities, among the first transports 

 allotted after the departure of the Field Army, should be 

 that for the Eemount Department ; this ship should carry 

 the entire remount stafi', and material for the erection of 

 a depot on landing. 



The material required is portable light shedding of 

 galvanized iron, to accommodate 1,000 horses, with 

 mangers, water troughs, posts, gates, wire for erecting en- 

 closures, pumps, waggons, etc. Accompanying it is a staff 

 of qualified artificers, viz., 20 farriers and 10 carpenters, 

 capable of putting it together in a few days, with such native 

 labour as is obtainable at the base of operations. 



Until accommodation is provided for the reception of 



* Devised by Major Eassie, D.S.O., Army Veterinary Department, 

 f Specially written by Major Eassie for this Manual, and for which 

 I am extremely indebted. 



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