The record-union., 1896-11-04
NERVOUS. EXHAUSTION.
The Effect of Heat Bpon Many Anil
mails

Nervous exhaustion from heat is
probably more common among horses
than is supposed. They suffer not only
from the depression of tone caused by
the temperature, but from the worry
and excitement caused by flies and in
sects, which madden the working horse,
with no time or means to rid himself of
them elfectually. The network jackets
and flaps granted even to smart car
riage horses in hot weather are real
benefit to them, and II cows could be
provided with similar but more extern
s.ve protection it Is certain that the
yield of milk would be increased by the
respite from constant nervous worry.
That it is the flies which accompany
heat, rather than the heat itself, from
which animals suffer when wild, or do
mesticated animals when at rest, seems
proved by their habits In the New For
est. There the wild ponies and cattle
al leave the woods in the midday heat
and congregate in what are known as
shades" But these shades" are shad-
owless, being generally some quite open
and elevated spot with no trees near
and in the full glare of the sun. There,
however, the tree hunting flies and ants
are fewer, and if there is a breeze it
can usually be felt. They prefer to face
the heat to enduring the heat insects,
and more especially the crawling New
Forest fly. In ordinary meadow land
cattle collect under trees towards mid
day, and In the afternoon, if it be pos
sible, gather in the ponds, where they
stand so deep that the lower and most
sensitive parts Of their bodies are COM
pletely covered by water. They thus
gain coolnesS and protection from in
sects at the same time, but there are not
many field ponds which are so large or
accessible from the bank that cattle can
enjoy themselves in this way, which,
as Gilbert White remarked, was equally
good both for the beasts and for the fish
which gather round to catch the flies.
During the great drought two sum-
mers ago horses became almost aquatic
animals where this was possible. They
! waded shoulder deep in the Thames
eating water plants and seeking cool
ness, and emboldened by these eXcur-
! sions even swan the river and invaded
the fields beyond. In the same year
! small deep pond In a meadow beyond
! Hanwell, visible from the Great West
ern Railway line, was used as a bath
| by four horses for the greater part of
! each day. They stood in 1T with the
water almost level with their backs, and
| presented the appearance Of huge river
animals of the tapir kind floating in the
| pool. 1t seems clear from this that they
| derive the same refreshnent from the
/ application of cold water to the skin
/ which other perspiring animals do. HUI
name cab drivers recognize this fact by
! driving their horses as nearly as posi-
| BILE into the shower from the rear Of a
watering cart, and there is little doubt
| that an occasional sluicing from hose
pipe would probably do much more for
! the health of the draught horse In the
| dog days. Deer both bathe and seek a
! draught in such weather On one Of the
hottest days OF last week a red deer
| hind took possession of an islet in Penn
Pond in Richmond Park, and spending
! tie greater part of the morning In Rob-
inson Crusoe fashion on the camp islet
| Sheep do not suffer from the highest
temperature of the English climate II
| shorn and left quiet with plenty of
water. But any driving or travelling