FRENCH MILITARY VETERINARY MEDICINE. 
693 
For Light Cavalry. 
In lieu of 8 81 lbs. of hay . . . 6'601bs. 
of 11*01 lbs. of straw . . lL-Ollbs. 
of 6-60 lbs. of oats . . . 8*37 lbs. 
[The rations for the British cavalry are, 12 lbs. of hay, 8 lbs. of 
straw, and 10lbs. of oats per diem; no distinctions being made be¬ 
tween heavy and light dragoons.] 
From several series of experiments, conducted with great care, 
on feeding troop horses on various kinds of food, separately and 
combinedly, the results shewed, that oats and straw constitute the 
best feed for horses; that hay is the least to be preferred; that 
barley comes next to oats and straw; lastly, rye; and that the 
combination of straw with one of the cereals is the best alimentary 
mixture. 
Horses fed exclusively on corn have been found to drink less; 
their dejections have turned out less copious, and their transpira¬ 
tions less abundant, than in horses fed upon either hay or straw, 
and their energy has proved superior. 
And, besides, it has been remarked that horses that have been 
V 
allowed their total regimental ration by weight in oats, do not con¬ 
sume more than two-thirds at the most, and rather less than half 
at the least. 
Horses satisfy themselves sooner with corn than with hay or 
straw. 
We have likewise, from the various experiments we have made, 
been led to the conclusion that oats and straw, in less quantity 
than hay, will put horses in better condition, and better heart. 
This first experimental result will necessarily be influenced by 
the determination of the nutritive equivalents; and the more so, as 
it is not altogether in accordance with theoretical deductions from 
chemical analysis. 
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VOL. XXII 
