599 
DESCRIPTION 
OF A 
VETERINARY FIELD COMPANION, 
BY 
LIEUT, J. HOTHAM, R.H.A. 
The veterinary field companion, of which a sketch is given on page 
602, is one which was made under my instructions about two years ago 
by the artificers of “C” Battery, “A” Bde. I have many times 
during the last nine years found great inconvenience while on the line 
of march, both in India and in England, from not being able to get a 
small amount of useful horse medicines in a portable form for treatment 
on the road. 
In this country, if any medicine chest is carried at all, a very large 
box with very little in it is the only form obtainable as a rule. In 
India two very complete cases are supplied, but they are a cameTs load 
in themselves. 
On the other hand, whether in England or abroad, a small party— 
say a troop of cavalry, or a division of a battery of artillery—has great 
difficulty, when detached, in getting any medicines at all. At best a 
few colic draughts in soda water bottles are provided; also, perhaps, a 
little liniment. 
I therefore had a small leather case constructed, corresponding to 
some extent with the “ Doctor's Field Companion." 
In many cases, both in warfare and in peace time, small detachments 
of both cavalry and artillery may be isolated without a veterinary 
surgeon, and often without even an experienced farrier. The officer in 
command may not have studied farriery, and his shoeing smiths may 
be young and inexperienced. To help him, I have had printed on 
calico and placed in the case, a list of the medicines, the size of the 
doses, and the purposes they are to be used for in the treatment of 
simple cases. 
The case when full weighs about 32 lbs. It is made of leather, and 
might be strengthened with thin iron stays. The one I have in use, 
