to the Rearing ami Feeding of Cattle. 
227 
milies remained in bed for days together, covered with as many 
clothes as their small stock could furnish. In this state the ani- 
mal heat was artificially retained, and little matter being expended 
in motion, a small amount of food was sufficient to support the 
vital principle.* 
In the Scotch prisons there are three rates of diet assigned to 
the prisoners. The first, or lowest rate, is given to prisoners of a 
sedentary occupation, such as woolpickers ; weavers, carpenters, 
and blacksmiths get the third or highest rate. In the latter case, 
the force employed being greater than in the former^ moie food 
is necessary for the production of that force. 
A cavalry horse, in ordinary service, is furnished with 8 lbs. of 
oats per diem; but when in active service, 10 lbs. of oats are 
given to it. 
The flesh of a stag hunted to death is unfit to eat, and is, when 
caught, in incipient putrefaction ; because the force expended in 
running has occasioned a destruction of the tissues of the body. 
For a similar reason the flesh of a hunted hare is peculiarly 
tender ; and it was a barbarous custom in former times to render 
bacon delicate by whipping pigs to death, j 
Epilepsy is always accompanied by an exaltation of force, and 
hence we find that a patient suffering under that malady becomes 
rapidly emaciated ; just as sheep do when afflicted with the same 
disease. 
In all these cases motion or force is produced without food, and 
* As a striking contrast to the above, we may cite another example of 
the same fact. All travellers have remarked with surprise that English- 
men in hot countries are more fond of violent games than they are accus- 
tomed to in England. The reason is obvious, when we consider the theo- 
ries already stated. In Italy the air is much expanded, and therefore a 
small amount of oxygen enters the system at each respiration. But the 
Italians live upon food containing a very small proportion of carbon, so 
small that the inspired air is sufficient to effect its combustion, and the 
temperature of the external air retains the warmth of the body. The 
Italian is therefore indolent, and loves to enjoy his siesta. But in India it 
is very different, for here we find the violent games of golf and rackets 
resorted to ; whilst dancing forms a favourite amusement in the evening. 
With the usual prejudice to custom which distinguishes the Englishman 
abroad, he continues to live in India as he did in England. He partakes 
of heavy dinners, consisting of food with a large amount of carbon. But 
the expanded air prevents the combustion of this, and consequently he is 
obliged to resort to violent exercise to increase the number of his respira- 
tions, and to accelerate the transformation of the tissues of his body. 
•i' Another excellent example, in proof of this principle, has been kindly 
pointed out to me by the Earl of Essex. Before cattle are killed in Rome, 
it is the custom to drive them round the walls of the city at a rapid pace. 
A driver on horseback follows with a kind of spear or goad, in order to 
accelerate their running. They are thus put in the position of a hunted 
hare or stag, and their flesh acquires the tenderness which is desired by 
the butcher. In all these cases an artificial state of decay is excited. 
q2 
