Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-02-23

known as Outlawed tracks, those not
recognized by either the eastern or west
ern turf authorities, they become much
sooner acquainted with the mysterious
operation, for the reason that it is rarely
practiced on those tracks recognized as
the centers of legitimate racing. To the
uninitiated, to dope or give horse the in
lection is to SO drug him as to prevent
him from doing his best. Such, however,
is not the case, the purpose being just the
reverse.
Nevertheless, the authorities of the
legitimate tracks, as we'll as those of the
outlawed ones, prohibit the practice, and
severely punish those horsemen who en-
gage in it. AS it is admitted that the oper-
alton is performed for the sole purpose of
stimulating the animal as to make Its
chance of winning that much greater, the
question naturally arises: Why should any
thing tending to increase the animals
chance of victory be prohibited? The an
swer to that will best be understood and
appreciated after the operation is explained.
The Drug Used.
To dope horse Is to inject into his syS
tenn a certain preparation of drugs. The
formula of the preparation varies, but
cocaine in almost every instance forms the
cases cocaine is the sole drug used, while
in others that and strychnia form the prep
aration. There are two methods of in
jecting 1t into the animals system, by by
podermic syringe or by suppository. The
first is the one most frequently practiced
for the reason that the effect is more
rapid When the hypodermic syringe is
used the injection can be made either on
the leg or neck of the animal, but in fact
it Is almost invariably. the latter
First, because the result is more satisfac-
tory, and second, because the wound made
by the needle in the syringe can be covered
by the anImarS NAME and the track au-
thorites and ali others mot ION the inside"
thereby kept in ignorance of the fact that
the animal has been doped.
When the syringe is used the prepara-
ton takes effect in a comparatively brief
time, in a few minutes, according to the
constitution of the animal. and is effective
for from thirty to forty-fiNe minutes. Its
effect Is, OF course, to arouse the sleeping
energies of the animal, and stimulates and
renews its visor and activity. This Is done
to really wonderful degree. for the time
ard In a majority of instances the animal
Is. for the time being. a wild, plunging devil,
veritable equine maniac The animal
seems possessed of but Single object in
life, to break away and run. and once given
his head, he cares not what may be before
him. stone wall or what not, but plungss on.
How 1t is Concealed.
1t would naturally be supposed that an
animal SO acting would arouse the suspi-
cions of the track officials and lead to an
investigation, resulting in the detection
and punishment of the offending owner or
trainer. But 1T is not always an easy mat
ter to distinguish between horse acting
badly because of temper and one so misbe-
having because of the injection. Then, too
the animal is seen at its worst while at the
starting post, but seldom is the start In
race made in front of the judges stand
where the horse could best be observed
The wound made by the needle in the
syringe is but a slight one. the flow of
blood Is small and, as the name of the ami
NAL covers the evidence it is seldom discov-
cred. While the preparation does not
craze all horses. it does greatly stimulate
them. and the old. practically broken-down
animal is made to feel, for the time being
like tWo-year-old, and not infrequently it
causes him to run like one.
The effects usually lasting from thirty to
forty-five minutes, the preparation is ad-
ministered about ten or fifteen minutes
previous to the horse being called to the
starting post Where it is injected into the
animals system through the medium of
the syringe 1t consists of fifteen grains of
cocaine and two drains of water Where
the suppoSitory is resorted to, the dose con-
s1stS OF the same quantity of cocaine and
half a grain OF strychnia, the animal be-
ing dosed about half an hour before going
to the post. OF course the more frequent
ly the animal is doped, the less susceptible
1t becomes, and the size of the dose is cor
respondngly increased. The constitution
of the horse, 1t is said, more closely re-
sembles that of man than does that of any
other animal, and where the poor animal is
persistently given the injection he becomes
like man. a cocaine fiend, and in course
of time will make no effort to exert him.
self unless under the influence of the drug
Like the man who becomes a slave to the
cocaine habit the horse suffers all it's ter
r1ble efects He becomes permanently de-
ranged, great sores appear and finally he
breaks hopelesSly down. death finally and
mercifully relieving him of his sufferings.
Why 1t Is Prohibited.
But neither the sufferings of the poor
brute nor his miserable end are either pri-
marily or mainly responsible for the pro-
hibltion by the racing officials of the prac-
tee here described. The protection of the
race horse from pain and suffering is today
little thought OF by the average owner or
trainer save where it means so MANY
more dollars with which to line his pockets
But again, this question arises: If giving
the horse the DOPE or the injection, is done
to increase his chance of victory, and If
the practice Is not prohibited because of its
cruelty, why is 1t prohibited and punished?
Inc reply Is no less startling than true,
because 1t Injuries gambling, that vice with
out which support race track in this
day of foolishly enlarged stakes and purses
and exorbitantly paid Jockeys, trainers,
starters, judges and other racing officials
can exist. OF course, the two great gov
erning organizations of legitimate racing
in the east and west, respectively, would
insist that they prohibit the practice be-
cause of it's cruelty, but the officials of the
out1awed tracks, and of those conducting
winter racing, are in this matter at least,
more frank and honest, and unhesitatngly
declare that they punish those who at
tempt it simply because 1t Injuries gam
bling.
The manner in which the injury is done
is rather ingeniously explained. The pub
lie, such racing officials state, really mean
ing the bookmakers, who support the
tracks, being entitled to be made ac1uaint
ed in every possible way with the racing
abilities of every starter in a race, such
information cannot be obtained, where the
owner or trainer willfully and Intentionally
withholds it by secretly administering to
the animal. If, they explain, the public
again really meaning the men Of odds)
could always know with absolute certainty
just when n horse has or has not been
doped, or given the injection, all would be
WELL and unfairneSs or deception could
be practiced in the matter.
The Gambling Element.
For instance, the protectors Of the pub
lie say, an owner or trainer has no right to
misIead the patrons of the track by start