83 
Facts and Observations. 
VETERINARY SURGERY IN MOROCCO. 
We are indebted to Professor Spooner for the following ex- 
tract from a private letter received by him, which shows the 
state of our science on the north-west coast of Africa: “The 
horses here are rather small, but when properly treated are very 
good animals, and I have been astonished at the manner in 
which they get over rough ground. They seem to me to be able 
to go through anywhere so long as their bodies can pass; and I 
have been through places, both in going down sand hills and 
up the sides of stony mountains upon them, which, unless 
I had seen others do it before, I should not have believed 
it possible. I am also the more surprised at the facility at 
which they go over rough and stony ground, when I see 
how slightly they are shod. I have procured a set of shoes 
to show you the system of shoeing, which is altogether dif- 
ferent from the English, inasmuch as the toes are cut quite 
square. I have also obtained a bridle, so that you may see 
what a powerful bit is used. The saddles and stirrups 
are made in the old Spanish fashion, and are too cumbrous 
by half; but they are comfortable when you are accustomed to 
them. 1 must confess, however, I very much prefer the 
English saddle, both for use and appearance. 
The horses are hardy beasts, and so they need be, as they 
only get a feed of corn (barley) at night, with a few handfuls 
of broken barley straw during the day, and water but once 
in the day. Sometimes they are washed in the sea, but as 
to grooming, as I understand the word, this they never get. 
There are veterinary surgeons here as well as in Europe. 
I was very much amused one day, when riding with Mr. C — 
on the beach, by an old man who came to us and said 
there was something the matter with the horse I was riding, 
and that if I would give him an ounce (2J^.), he would tell 
me what it was and how to cure it. He said his fee was 
always two ounces (5d.), but as he knew Mr. C — he would 
only ask for one. For the fun of the thing 1 gave him his 
fee, and demanded his opinion. He had previously looked 
the horse round, and I had walked him backwards and for- 
wards, and after pocketing his twopence-halfpenny, he said, 
the horse has been hurt on the off hind leg, pointing out at 
the same time the place, which was just below the stifle-joint. 
Mr. C — had previously noticed that after a long gallop on 
