176 PRACTICAL HINTS ON STABLE MANAGEMENT IN INDIA. 
affected, with an obstinate lesion, or, attracted by its presence, 
flies may strike and deposit their ova in the sheath, the larvae 
from which will, if undisturbed, attack and devour the glans 
penis. 
The feet should be kept in perfect order, for dung or litter 
saturated with urine, if allowed to lodge near the sole or about 
the wall of the foot, will prove an unfailing source of serious 
mischief to the horn that may render animals, otherwise sound 
and useful, temporarily, if not permanently, lame and useless, 
causing them also, in some instances, acute suffering. These 
untoward results may be prevented by picking out the feet two 
or three times or even more often daily, but these organs will be 
the more surely protected from ill by the prompt removal of all 
dirt from the stable, and I would here record my opinion that 
probably constructed concrete flooring, from the facility with 
which it can be kept clean, and from its imperviousness to damp, 
would aid extensively in preserving, not only the feet, but the 
general health of the horses. The adoption of it in the stables 
of a large brew r ery in England for the past two years or more, 
has, to my knowdedge, been attended with the happiest results. 
Washing horses .—The washing of horses is a very common 
practice in India, but one which does not meet with my unquali¬ 
fied approval. Instances, however, occur in which the operation 
becomes a necessity, and that being the case, it should be carried 
out on a still and fine day, under competent and trustworthy 
supervision, great care being taken to have the laved animal 
thoroughly dried as quickly as possible afterwards, and covered 
with a light blanket if in the summer, but carefully blanketed up 
in the cold season, to annul the liability to any after ill effects j 
with reference to the legs and feet, it will be better to clean 
them with a brush or wisp (and the former by hand rubbing 
also), in order to avoid the risk of inflamed or cracked heels, 
which will surely supervene if these parts be imperfectly dried 
after being constantly washed. On this account, if it be deter¬ 
mined to w r asli the foot, the hoof only should be wetted, and 
this carefully dried. It is imperatively necessary that these 
precautions be observed, for while admitting that numbers of 
horses are most heedlessly washed day by day, and escape 
apparently scot free, I am certain very many suffer severely 
from diseases contracted in consequence of the careless manner 
in which they have been dried after being so repeatedly washed, 
this being particularly the case in damp districts. 
(To he continued .) 
