420 
STABLE MANAGEMENT. 
oxygen, with, about three to six measures in 10,000 of carbonic acid 
and a trace of ammonia. The object to be attained in ventilating a 
stable is to ensure the admission of as much fresh air as possible, 
to avoid draught, and to secure adequate means of exit for the foul 
air. In all properly constructed modern troop stables these require¬ 
ments are provided for, and as an example we cannot do better than 
describe the ventilating arrangements of the new Army Service 
Corps stables in this garrison. I think the cubic space per horse 
allowed in one of these stables is something like 1500 feet. Under 
each bail, and about a foot from the floor, a perforated iron grating 
communicates with an air shaft running along the whole length of the 
building, within the walls, on each side. Fresh air is admitted by the 
means of similar gratings placed somewhat higher up on the outside, 
and by this arrangement a direct draught upon the horses is avoided. 
Above the windows a similar air shaft is constructed opening into the 
stable by a narrow line of continuous grating, while an open roof with 
louvre boards at its ridge affords a ready means of exit for the foul 
air. The principal gases generated in a stable are :—Carbonic acid, 
sulphuretted hydrogen and ammonia; these, together with some other 
gases, constitute the foul air of a stable. Although many gaseous 
fluids, notably carbonic acid, are, at a low temperature, much heavier 
than ordinary atmospheric air, they expand rapidly under the influence 
of heat and readily become diffused. Under these conditions the foul 
air of a stable is lighter than pure air, of a lower temperature, and 
consequently ascends, being replaced by fresh air from below. It will 
be readily understood that if ample means are not provided for the 
exit of the foul air at the upper part of the building, it must of neces¬ 
sity, as it cools, descend to be again respired. Such a stable as I have 
described can be kept in a satisfactory sanitary condition even although 
the windows and doors may all be closed, provided the ventilators work 
fairly smoothly. It is not so, however, in many of the old-fashioned 
stables with which most of us are familiar. It will be within your 
recollection that in many of the country quarters in the United 
Kingdom, especially in Ireland, the ventilating arrangements of the 
stables are very imperfect. We frequently meet with stables with 
men’s rooms above and each stable accommodating 8 or 12 horses only. 
In such a case the best method of allowing foul air to escape is by means 
of air shafts through the rooms above and opening at the roof by means 
of the louvre-board arrangement. This is, however, not always practic¬ 
able, and we have to depend upon the windows, the fan-lights over the 
doors, and sundry perforated air-bricks or gratings under the eaves of 
the roof for the exit of the foul air. Fresh air is admitted by means of 
the drain holes, spaces under the doors, air-bricks, &c. Although such 
means of ventilation are remarkably rough, yet at the same time we find 
that with care we can keep these stables in a fairly satisfactory sanitary 
condition. Of course, great care is necessary in order to secure some¬ 
thing like a uniform temperature; all stuffiness should be avoided, and 
for this purpose, although during very cold and inclement weather it is 
advisable to keep the windows closed on the windward side, the opposite 
windows should be kept partially open, and the function of the air-bricks 
