COMPARATIVE ABSENCE OF 
500 
any of them. Two females, a mistress and servant, had their 
heads wounded in drenching sheep, without, as yet, any ill ef¬ 
fects ; and the son of one of the proprietors of sheep, and who 
had killed the dog, had his thumb bitten through a glove, on 
whose account I have delayed sending this, as no means were 
taken, and his friends affect to believe that there was nothing 
the matter with the dog. 
P.S. Some years since about twenty sheep were bitten by a 
dog, and (as I was told at the time, but too late for me to see 
them), all died mad. 
COMPARATIVE ABSENCE OF BROKEN WIND IN 
FRENCH HORSES. 
By Nimrod. 
I HAVE often thought that, if sportsmen would more fre¬ 
quently than they do give you some results of their experience 
in the stable, it would only be your due in return for the infor¬ 
mation they receive from the perusal of your very useful periodical. 
I have resided nearly five years in France, and have not seen 
five broken-winded horses, although I have kept a sharp look 
out for them, particularly on market days at Calais; also amongst 
the post and coach horses. It is generally admitted, that in 
this part of France, they are rarely to be seen ; and I am unable 
to speak as to any other part. There must be a cause for this, and 
as 1 think the subject worthy of your consideration, I will enu¬ 
merate a few particulars relating to their treatment, out of 
which you may select one or two that might be made the sub¬ 
ject of scientific inquiry by the profession. 
First.—The hay in this part of France is wretchedly bad, and 
particularly so in wet or even showery summers. But it is not 
allowed to sweat in the rick. What little fermentation it is sub¬ 
jected to, is in the wind-cock in the field, where it often remains 
till, to all appearance, it is spoiled. With the exception of that 
of this summer, I have never found any fragrant hay in France. 
Secondly.—All descriptions of horses here eat wheat straw— 
say a small truss a day. A Frenchman will tell you it is good 
for the breath.*' 
Thirdly.—No French horse in work, and very few out of 
work, are turned out to grass : they are never left out all night. 
Fourthly.—Coach and post horses do not go so fast here as 
they do in England ; but cart horses go faster, and draw much 
