CRAMP
—is a most extraordinary spasmodic muscular contraction of some particular limb, where the stiffness and rigidity of the part exceeds belief. To those who have never been accustomed to such cases, they are serious and alarming; for the strength of two men is inadequate to the task of rendering the affected limb pliable and active. The cause is sometimes not to be ascertained; but it has frequently arisen from a horse, in a high state of perspiration, having been placed in a current of cold air, or a damp stable, and in a few minutes found not able to move. Standing still two or three days in succession without exercise, after long and constant travelling, is likewise known to produce it. But whatever cause it may have originated in, the direct road to relief is still the same. Instantaneous BLEEDING, hot fomentation with a decoction of aromatic herbs, immediately followed up by strong friction with an old stable horse-brush, and this by an embrocation of camphorated spirits, half a pint, incorporated with one ounce of oil of origanum, and a part of it patiently rubbed in upon the particular part affected, never fails to relieve in a short time. Should it, however, not take effect so soon as expected, dissolve a cordial-ball in a pint of gruel, to which add an ounce of liquid laudanum, and let either or all the operations be repeated in a few hours, should the case (or a relapse) require it.
CREST-FALLEN
.—A horse is said to be crest-fallen, when the part running from the withers to the ears, and upon which the mane grows, is impoverished, and wasted, from the natural prominence of its beautiful curve, to a state of reverse hollowness or indentation. This is generally accompanied by a total emaciation, brought on by very bad support, or neglect under different degrees of disease. The firmness and corresponding curve of the crest is almost invariably a tolerable criterion of the health and condition of the horse; and a judicious inspector seldom omits this part of the examination. If the flesh upon the crest is firm, solid, and not flabbily soft, or fluctuating, it is a good sign of constitutional strength; but a horse having a low, bare, indented crest, will always have a poor, weak, and impoverished appearance, doing his owner no credit. This defect, however, proceeds more from penurious keep, and temporary starvation, than any cause or defect in Nature, and may always be expeditiously remedied by liberal support, and nutritious invigoration.
CRIB-BITING
—is a habit acquired by some horses, of incessantly biting the manger, and gulping the wind; which appears, from observation, to be more prejudicial to character, than to bodily exertion. It is said, "young horses are most subject to it; and that it is often occasioned by uneasiness in breeding of teeth, and from being ill fed when they are hungry. The bad consequences are wearing away their teeth, spilling their corn, and sucking the air in such quantities, as will often give them the cholic or gripes."
It is certain a crib-biter never appears high in flesh, or so full in condition as horses that are not so; and so prejudicial is it considered by many, that they will not admit a horse to be perfectly sound if sold with this infirmity. Opinions vary upon the difference it makes respecting the labor and fatigue a horse of this description can undergo; some asserting that "the defect keeps him weak, languid, and unable to endure much work:" while others as strenuously insist upon its being in no way whatever prejudicial.
"Who shall decide when doctors disagree?"
CROPPING
—is the operation of taking off the ears, which was till very lately performed with a knife and wooden mould, rendering it both tedious and painful: it is, however, now very much improved by the invention of an instrument admirably adapted to the purpose, by which the separation of the ear is almost instantaneous. It is only adopted where horses are lop-eared, and bear the appearance of mules about the head. As the operation is at best but a cruel mutilation, every humane and tender mind will think it "more honored in the breach than the observance."
CROWN-SCAB
—is a partial appearance about the coronet of a horse, varying in different subjects, according to the state of the object diseased. It partakes a little of the disorder called grease, to which, if unattended to, it would soon degenerate; being a species of that defect, but in an inferior degree. In some it appears as a scurfy eruption, raising the hair, and turning it different ways, from whence soon oozes a kind of oily ichor, fœtid in smell, and greasy in appearance: in others, the discharge is thinner, and more watery, according to the greater or less degree of morbidity in the frame, or acrimony in the blood. It has been a practice with the old school to counteract its effects by vitriolic lotions, slight styptics, and strong repellents: scientific disquisition will not, however, justify such treatment, but recommend daily mollification with warm oatmeal gruel and a soft sponge; when which is wiped gently dry with a soft linen cloth, it may be very mildly impregnated with camphorated spermacæti ointment, and the cure assisted by mercurial physic, diuretic balls, or a course of antimonial alterative powders.
CUB
.—A young fox is so called during the first year.
CURB
—is a callous enlargement, approaching ossification, and is situate at the lower junction of the bones, at the hind part of the hock, originally attended with stiffness, and lastly with lameness and pain. Curbs are evidently produced by kicks, blows, sudden turns or twists, riding too hard (or drawing too much weight) up hill: they should be attended to on their first appearance, when they soon submit to the usual modes adopted for extirpation. Mild blistering frequently succeeds, particularly where the operation is twice performed; but when the case is of long standing, a few slight feather strokes with the firing-iron may be necessary to confirm the cure.
CURB
.—The chain is so called, which is the part of the bridle-bit fixed to one cheek, and passing under the lower-jaw (and above the beard or chin) to the other. By the rein being fixed to rings or loops, at the lower extremity of the bit, this chain, called curb, constitutes a fulcrum; and the harder such rein is pulled, the harder will be the pressure of the curb upon the under jaw, and of course the greater power given to the rider. The curb consists merely of a neat wrought chain, small rings and links, by which it is fixed to the cheek-eyes of the bit, and easily taken off and on for the purpose of cleaning.
CURRY-COMB
,—a well known stable utensil, in constant use for the cleaning of horses. They are much more applicable to post and draft horses, than to horses of superior description, the fineness of whose coats, and the tenderness of whose skins, occasion much uneasiness to them during the prickly persecution, and to whom good, sweet, clean straw-bands are greatly preferable; it being matter of fair doubt, whether more horses are not lamed in the stable under the dancing ceremony of the curry-comb, than by accidents upon the road, or strong exertions in the field.
CRUPPER
,—a leathern convenience, or long strap, annexed to the hinder part of the saddle, having at the other extremity a loop to pass under the tail; by which the saddle is prevented from getting forward, and bringing the rider upon the neck of the horse. Such aid is by no means required with horses well made, and uniformly proportioned: they are rarely brought into use, but where a horse is lower before than behind; and are in so much disrepute with amateurs and connoisseurs, that a real sportsman would sooner part from his horse than to be seen ride with a crupper.
CUTTING
.—Explained under Castration.
CUTTING in Action
,—in the manege called interfering, is lacerating the round inside projecting part of the fetlock-joint, with the edge of the shoe, upon the foot of the opposite leg. This arises much more frequently from the indifference or neglect in the owner, than from any imperfection or defect of the horse; more horses cut from being broke and put into work too young, rode too long journies in a day, or over-worked when weary, than from any cause whatever. Some horses, it is true, cut from their formation, particularly those narrow in the chest. Carriage horses, too, very frequently cut behind; but this must in a great measure be occasioned by the projecting parts and cavities in the pavement, for all which the surest footed horse existing cannot be prepared.
D.
DACE
,—a small fish, common in most rivers, where it is seen swimming near the surface, mostly in shallows, and near bridges, held in no estimation but with the common people.
DAISY-CUTTER
,—a sporting term for horses that go so near the ground, they frequently touch it with the tip of one toe or the other, and are constantly in danger of falling. A horse with broken knees may be considered of this description.
DAPPLE
.—Horses are so called who have partial variegated hues in the coat of different sizes, constituting small circles, both lighter and darker than the general colour of the horse. Such are said to be dappled; hence we have dapple bays, dapple greys, and sometimes dapple blacks.
DEALERS
.—See Horse Dealers.
DECOCTION
.—A decoction for the purpose of fomenting swellings, tumours, or enlargements, (either as an emollient or discutient,) is made by boiling a double handful of Roman wormwood, camomile flowers, bay leaves, and elder flowers, in two gallons of water, for a quarter of an hour, and applying it to the part with sponge or flannel as hot as it can be used without injury to the hair. This will be found more fully explained under the proper head, Fomentation.
DECOY
,—a canal, river, pond, or sheet of water, appropriated to the profitable purpose of taking wild ducks and teal: it is a business peculiar to those only who profess it, and conducted upon a principle of the strictest stillness and regularity. The person having the management of a decoy, must possess taciturnity and patience in a very great degree, both being brought into constant practice; without which, success can neither be expected or deserved. The fowl are brought within the tunnel of the net by stratagem, where, at a critical moment, they are enclosed and taken. All this, however, depends upon the industry, sagacity, deception, and exertion, of the DECOY-DUCK, by whose wiles and allurements the whole flight are brought within the space allotted to their destruction. The decoy-ducks are trained to their business almost from the shell, and amply demonstrate what services may be obtained, what fidelity insured, or what attachment excited, by the exertion of tenderness and humanity, even to the more inferior parts of the creation.
It, however, often happens, that the wild fowl are in such a state of sleepiness and dozing, that they will not follow the decoy-ducks. Use is then generally made of a dog trained to the business, who passing backwards and forwards between the reed screens, attracts the eye of the wild fowl, who not choosing to be interrupted, advance towards the small and contemptible animal, that they may drive him away. The dog all the time, by the direction of the DECOY-MAN, plays among the screens of reeds, nearer and nearer to the purse-net; till at last the decoy-man appears behind the screen, and the wild-fowl not daring to pass by him in return, nor being able to escape upwards on account of the net-covering, rush on into the purse-net.
The general season for catching fowl in decoys is from the latter end of October till February: the taking of them earlier is prohibited by an act 10th of George II. which forbids it from June 1st to October 1st under the penalty of five shillings for each bird destroyed within that space. An action will lie against the disturber of a decoy, by firing a gun, or any other act of wilful injury to the owner.
Decoys cannot be formed, nor need they be attempted, but where nature has been a little diffuse in her favors for the formation: marshy low lands, plenty of water, and sequestered situations, are indispensably necessary to a successful embarkation. They are to be found in different parts of the kingdom, but more plentiful in the northern and eastern counties than in any other. Essex, Cambridgeshire, Lincolnshire, and some part of Warwickshire, are remarkable for many of considerable extent, and from the principal of which the markets of the Metropolis are so plentifully and so reasonably supplied.
DEER
,—a word indiscriminately used, implies (in its most extensive sense) the animals inhabiting parks and forests, whose flesh is equally denominated VENISON, though very different in size, flavour, and estimation. Deer are of two kinds; the one principally bred and preserved for the chase, the other for the table. A perfect description of the first will be found under the proper heads of Red Deer, Stag, and Hind; of the latter, under Fallow Deer, Buck, and Doe.
DEER-STEALERS
—are those nocturnal desperadoes who, setting at defiance all laws, all possession of property, and the protectors of it, disguise themselves, and, under cover of the night, attack, seize, kill, and carry away, from the best fenced parks, bucks or does, (according to the season,) with the greatest impunity. Their mainspring of action is a dog of the cur kind, called "a coney-cut lurcher:" this is a breed peculiar to itself, and those who use it; being a light sort of brindled wiry-haired mongrel, with a natural stump tail, having the appearance of a bastard greyhound. They are exceedingly fleet and lasting, run mute, (by either nose or sight;) and are so well trained for the purpose to which they are solely appropriated, that they are equally expert in picking up a HARE, or pulling down a BUCK. After having executed their office, though in the darkest night, they will soon recover their master by scent, and lead him to the game so pulled down, which is repeated till a sufficiency is obtained for that journey; the business having been so systematically conducted, by the various neighbouring emissaries and associates concerned, that horses and carts were employed, and a regular routine of robbery carried on, by periodical and alternate depredations upon most of the parks within fifty and sixty miles of the Metropolis. Many living in a line of respectability in other respects, were publicly known to be employed in the nefarious practice without fear of detection; for no informer could come forward, without a very great probability of destruction to his PERSON or property, from some of the many confederates concerned.
These offences, so long thought but little of, became at length enormities of such magnitude, that the Legislature discovered a necessity for the introduction of new and more severe pains and penalties. A variety of statutes were enacted in the reigns of former sovereigns for the punishment of such offenders, which are now fully concentrated in the Acts of Parliament passed in the present reign of George III.
By these statutes, if any persons shall hunt, or take in a snare, kill or wound, any red or fallow deer, in any forest, chase, &c. whether inclosed or not, or in any inclosed park, paddock, &c. or be aiding in such offence; they shall forfeit twenty pounds for the first offence; and also thirty pounds for each DEER wounded, killed, or taken. A GAME-KEEPER, guilty of either, to forfeit double. For a second offence, the offenders may be transported for seven years.
Justices may grant warrants to search for heads, skins, &c. of stolen deer, and for toils, snares, &c. and persons having such in their possession, to forfeit from ten to thirty pounds, at the discretion of the justices. Persons unlawfully setting nets or snares, to forfeit, for the first offence, from five to ten pounds; and for every other offence, from ten to twenty pounds. Persons pulling down pales or fences of any forest, chase, park, paddock, wood, &c. subject to the penalties annexed to the first offence for killing deer. Dogs, guns, and engines, may be seized by the PARK-KEEPERS; and persons resisting, shall be transported for seven years. Penalties may be levied by distress; in default of which, offenders to be committed for twelve months.
Persons disguised, and in arms, appearing in any forest, park, paddock, &c. and killing red or fallow deer, deemed felons without benefit of clergy. Prosecutions limited to twelve months from the time of the offence committed. Destroying goss, furze, and fern, in forests and chases, being the covert for deer, is liable to a penalty from forty shillings to five pounds; to be levied by distress; and if no distress, the offender to be committed to the county gaol, for a time not greater than three months, nor less than one.
DEFAULT
;—a term in hunting, which custom has reduced to an abbreviation, and is in general called FAULT. The hounds, during a chase of any kind, when losing the scent, throwing up their noses, seeming at a loss, and dashing different ways, in anxious and earnest hope of recovery, are then said to be at "a fault." This is the very moment when the judgment of the huntsman is most required, and the soonest to be observed. Different opinions have been formed, and decisions made, respecting the proper mode of proceeding at so critical a juncture, whether to try forward, or to try back: here a great deal depends upon the GAME you are hunting of, and the country you are hunting in, which circumstances at the time can only determine. However opinions may vary upon some particular points, all seem to coincide upon others; that the ground should invariably be made good forward, previous to trying back; that a general silence should prevail, and not an unnecessary aspiration be heard, that can tend to attract the attention of a single hound from the earnest endeavours he is so busily engaged in; by which means nineteen faults are hit off out of twenty, without greater delay, suspense, or disappointment.
If HOUNDS, in pursuit of deer or fox, throw up on a fallow or highway, they cannot be got forward too soon; certain it is they have neither of them stopt there: not so with the hare, who is likely to have thrown herself out by the side of one, or squatted in a land (or furrow) of the other. Faults with the two former, are much more easily and expeditiously hit off than with the latter, with whom they are sometimes tediously incessant, particularly with a young or a hard-hunted hare: it should therefore, be a fixed rule, never to abandon a fault, if possible, without recovery; it being as likely, at least, to bring the lost hare to a view, as to find a fresh one.
DEFECTS
—in horses differ very materially from what are termed BLEMISHES, (which see:) the latter are always considered conspicuous, and easily observed by the eye of experience and judicious inspection. A horse may have defects not so readily to be perceived, and consequently remain a longer or shorter period before they are discovered: he may prove incorrigibly restive, and not happen to display it in a new situation for days or weeks; he may be a seasoned and invincible crib-biter; he may be vicious to dress; a kicker in the night; doubtful in the eyes; aukward in action; troublesome to saddle, and when saddled, more troublesome to ride. Though these are defects, yet the DEALER (proceeding upon the purest principles of integrity) conceives them professional privileges of secrecy, which he is not bound in honor to disclose; affecting to believe, they are totally abstracted from every idea conveyed in the declaration and warranty of being "perfectly sound."
That this matter, however, may be the better and more universally understood, it cannot be inapplicable to introduce the opinion which the late Lord Mansfield held publicly in the Court of King's Bench; "that a restive horse was tantamount to an unsound one; and upon this principle, that if the subject so purchased was evidently restive, and would not, or could not, by fair means, be prevailed upon to go where he was required, he was equally useless with an invalid whose lameness or infirmity prevented him from executing the purposes for which he was purchased." From such authority (founded upon the basis of equity) there can be but little, if any, doubt, an action brought for the recovery of money paid for a restive horse, such horse having been "WARRANTED SOUND," would obtain a verdict. As, however, the proverbial uncertainty of the LAW, the confusion of witnesses, and the caprice of a sleepy jury, are very slender reliances for the man of prudence and honor, who wishes "to do unto others as he would be done unto," the safest method for every purchaser is to take (from the GENTLEMAN as well as a dealer) a proper receipt, upon payment of the money, that such horse or mare is warranted sound and free from vice; by which litigation and law-suits may be prevented.
DELPINI
,—originally called "Hackwood," was bred by the late Duke of Bolton; foaled in 1781; and got by Highflyer out of Countess, who was got by Blank. Delpini proved himself a very capital racer, beating most of the best horses of his year at all ages. He has also acquired some celebrity as a STALLION, being the sire of Kilton, Prior, Skelton, Miss Ann, Tiptoe, Abram Wood, Cardinal, Clymene, Dido, Golden Locks, Dapple, Flutter, Little Scot, Miss Beverly, Nixon, Opposition, Timothy, Agnes, Blue Beard, Camperdown, Duchess, Hopwell, L'Abbé, Laborie, Patch, Stourton, Symmetry, Baron Nile, Maid of the Mill, Slap-bang, Sabella, and many others, all winners.
DIABETES
,—divested of medical dignity, and technical ambiguity, is neither more or less than a profuse, frequent, and involuntary discharge of urine, from a weakness of some of the parts necessary to the secretion and evacuation of that particular excrement. Whatever may have been the cause, whether an injury in the loins, near the region of the kidnies, violent and excessive purging from improper physic, or a relaxed state of the sphincter of the bladder, the road to relief and cure is still the same; invigorants of every kind. Oatmeal gruel for drink, instead of water, in which gum arabic is dissolved, so that four or six ounces may be taken every day; not submitting to which, half an ounce, or six drachms of liquid laudanum, may likewise be given in a little gruel, with a horn, every night and morning.
DIAMOND
—was esteemed for some years the speediest and best bottomed horse in the kingdom. He was foaled in 1792; bred by Mr. Dawson; got by Highflyer out of the dam of Sparkler, and was own brother to Screveton. At three years old he repeatedly ran in handsome with some of the first horses, and was within a length of winning the Derby at Epsom when twelve started, but did no more than receive 50 guineas forfeit from Lark at the second Newmarket Meeting of the year 1795. First Spring Meeting, 1796, he won the Jockey Stakes of 100 guineas each, six subscribers. In the July Meeting of the same year he WALKED OVER for a sweepstakes of 200 guineas each, seven subscribers. In 1797, when Mr. Cookson's, he won the King's hundred at Newcastle, and a 50l. plate the next day at the same place; 50l. at York; the 50 guineas for all ages at Newmarket, beating Yeoman, Play or Pay, Aimator, and others. The next day he won the King's hundred guineas, beating the famous Hermione and Vixen. In 1798 he beat Moorcock, over the Beacon Course, for 200 guineas, Monday in the Craven Meeting. First Spring Meeting he won a sweepstakes of 100 guineas each, twelve subscribers. Second Meeting, received a compromise from Lord Clermont's Spoliator. At Oxford he won the GOLD CUP of 100 guineas value, with 50 guineas in specie, beating Stickler, Johnny, Oatlands, and Whip; all excellent runners. The King's hundred at Nottingham; the King's hundred at York; and beat Sir H. T. Vane's Shuttle four miles over Doncaster for 1000 guineas: the odds eleven to eight upon Shuttle. In 1799 he was beat half a length the great match by Hambletonian, over the Beacon Course at Newmarket, for 3000 guineas; the odds five to four upon Hambletonian. More money was sported upon this match, and more company went from the Metropolis to see it decided, than ever was known upon any other race in the kingdom. The next day he won the first class of the Oatlands stakes 50 guineas each (ten subscribers) beating eight of the best horses of the year. First Spring Meeting he won the King's hundred, beating Grey Pilot, Lounger, and St. George. Second Meeting won the Jockey Club plate, and 50 guineas, beating Stamford and Lounger. In 1800, First Spring Meeting, he won a subscription 50l. beating Stamford, the famous Coriander, and Wrangler. First October Meeting he received 250 guineas forfeit from Warter. Second October Meeting he beat Hippona over the Beacon Course, 200 guineas. Here ended his career of GLORY by the death of Mr. Cookson; after which he was sold, and taken to Ireland; where being engaged by his owner in a match of much magnitude, he was LAMED by over training in another country, after running five successive years in this, without being lame, or having paid FORFEIT from indisposition, or being once amiss.
DIET
.—The diet of horses in this country is now so universally known, that very little is required upon the subject of explanation under this head. The articles called oats, beans, hay, bran, chaff, carrots, and grains, are individually brought into use, as may best coincide with the pecuniary propensities, or liberal sensations, of the owners. Whatever may be written upon the subject of quantity and quality, will very little influence the enquirers upon those heads; the GENTLEMAN and the SPORTSMAN will never alter their invariable plan of plenty, and of the best quality; but the long list of coachmasters, postmasters, job and hackney-men, carmen, carriers, and inferior tradesmen, who merely exist, under the unavoidable accumulation of taxes, cannot feed their horses as they would, but are compelled to feed them as they can. No particular instructions, therefore, become materially necessary; but some general rules may be laid down for occasional recollection.
The management of horses of every description, whether for the turf, the field, or the road, is now so systematically understood by the different classes of society, that nothing new, instructive, or entertaining, can be introduced under that head. Each horse is supported in a way (at least in respect to quantity and quality of food) individually, and regulated by the opinion of the owner, or the work he has to perform. One conceives, from his own sensations of liberality, even four feeds of corn a day too little; another considers two rather too much. In such contrariety and diversity, who can expect to see opinions concentrate in one particular point? Such hope, if adopted, will be eternally disappointed. It may not be inapplicable to have it always in memory, that it is not the number of feeds, or the quantity of hay, that should constitute the criterion, but the quality of both upon which the nutritious support entirely depends. Three measures of good corn will contribute more nutriment to the frame, and invigoration to the system, than five of bad: and twenty-eight pounds of substantial fragrant hay will at all times be more prudent, and more profitable, than even double the quantity of a very inferior quality.
This data judiciously and occasionally adverted to, will sufficiently widen the ground of information to every comprehension; it being only necessary to hold in memory the additional circumstance, that horses fed too high, without proportional work, exercise, and evacuations, must become full, plethoric, and ultimately disordered; while, on the contrary, those whose blood is permitted to become impoverished from a want of the necessary supply of FOOD, will soon display it in a wasting of the flesh, a contracted state of the crest, and, if long continued, probably produce some of those diseases originating in a serious and acrimonious state of the blood.
DIOMED
—was in great repute as a racer, and afterwards as A STALLION at ten guineas a mare. He was bred by Sir C. Bunbury; got by Florizel; dam by Spectator, and grand-dam by Blank; was foaled in 1777, and proved himself an equal runner with the best horse of his time. As a stallion, he has propagated some of the finest stock in the kingdom. Diomed is the sire of Anthony, Charlotte, Grey Diomed, Laïs, Mademoiselle, Playfellow, Quetlavaca, Sir Cecil, Whiskers, Montezuma, Glaucus, Speculator, Champion, Little Pickle, Michael, Monkey, Young Grey Diomed, Snip, Tom, Robin Grey, Dalham, Guatimozin, Habakkuk, Adela, Cædar, Switch, Greyhound, Laurentina, Poplar, Wrangler, and Egham; all considered WINNERS; exclusive of many others who won MATCHES and SWEEPSTAKES, (as colts and fillies,) but were never named.
DISEASE
—is not only a state of the body directly opposite to the standard of health, but may be defined of two kinds; as those with which we are afflicted by the influence of a superior Power, whose wisdom we are not permitted to explore; and by others that, in acts of neglect and indiscretion, we bring upon ourselves. Diseases are differently conceived: some writers describe them by their cause, some by their effect: leaving the investigation in a kind of medical mystery, bearing no ill affinity to theological ambiguity. In fact, the word is only introduced here to remind every reader, that, in respect to both MAN and HORSE, prevention is preferable to CURE.
DISTANCE
;—a sporting term appertaining solely to the TURF. It is a length of two hundred and forty yards (actual measurement) from the WINNING-POST of every RACE-COURSE in the kingdom; precisely at which spot is fixed a post corresponding with others, but having a gallery annexed capable of holding three or four persons, which is called the DISTANCE-POST. In this gallery, as well as in the gallery of the winning-post, before the horses start each heat, is stationed a person holding a crimson flag; during the time the horses are running, each flag is suspended from the front of the gallery to which it has been appropriated; but immediately upon the first horse passing the holder of the flag in the gallery of the WINNING-POST, he strikes THE FLAG; at the very moment of his doing which, the holder of the flag in the gallery of the distance-post strikes his also, in confirmation that the heat is decided; and such HORSE or HORSES (running for the plate) as may not have passed the DISTANCE-POST before the flag is struck, is then deemed a distanced horse, and disqualified from starting again for the same PLATE or PRIZE. A horse running on the wrong side of a POST, the RIDER not bringing his proper and full weight to scale after the heat, or dismounting without first riding HIS HORSE up to the side of the scale, and weighing, are also deemed distanced horses, and not permitted to start again.
DIURETICS
.—The class of medicines so called, are those which, by their peculiar stimulus, act solely upon the parts appropriated to the secretion of urine and its evacuation; thereby relieving the frame from such impurities, or slight disorders as pass under the denomination of HUMOURS, and are said to originate in the state of the blood. The advertised diuretic balls of the Author are recommended and established for their well-known efficacy in "cracks, scratches, inflammation of the eyes, perceptible foulness, swelled legs, and grease." Diuretics are the more useful and convenient, because a horse can be moderately used at any time during their operation.
DOE
—is the female of the FALLOW DEER, bred in PARKS, and are the species from which the table is supplied with venison: the male is called A BUCK; the female, A DOE: the young (of which they produce but one annually) is called A FAWN. Doe venison is not considered equal in epicurean estimation with the buck, either in fat or flavour; nor is it in season till the latter has declined: this happens at the beginning of autumn, when the season for copulation (called rutting time) comes on. Fawns are killed for the table at three months old, consequently in use during the latter end of August, and first weeks of September.
DOGS
,—that well-known species of animal whose fidelity, attachment, gratitude, and general utility, very far exceed every eulogium within the power of the profuse pen of admiration to bestow. Their virtues and useful qualifications are beyond the most prolific description: they are the protectors of our property at home, the promoters of our pleasures abroad, and the pleasing partners of our domestic comforts by the fire-side. The Rev. Mr. Daniel, in his elegant production called "Rural Sports," has given a very full and satisfactory historical account of their origin, the different kinds and crosses, with instances, and well authenticated proofs, of their mutual affection, fidelity, sagacity, and docility. He has also introduced "a laughable philosophical account of dogs, under the supposition of a transmigration of souls;" with a great variety of matter, truly entertaining to the SPORTSMAN of curious investigation.
In the reign of Queen Elizabeth was published a systematical arrangement of the different kind of dogs peculiar to Britain; but many of the names by which they were known, having since become obsolete, they have been most judiciously classed by Mr. Daniel under the following genealogical heads. 1. Shepherds' Dog; Wolf Dog; Iceland Dog; Lapland Dog; Siberian Dog.—2. Hound; Harrier; Terrier.—3. Large Spaniel; Small Spaniel; Water Dog; Small Water Dog.—4. Bull Dog.—5. Large Danish Dog; Irish Greyhound; Great Hound Mongrel; Large Greyhound; English Greyhound; and lastly, the Mastiff Dog. When, after an investigation so seemingly clear, and a description so truly systematic, every sportsman must be equally surprised, that there is no collateral branch of the "Genealogical Table," by which the Pointer has been produced; so that, with both these Authors, his ab origine, or unde derivatur, is left in equal obscurity.
As the qualification of each particular sporting dog will be more minutely adverted to under the distinct heads of Hound, Greyhound, Pointer, Terrier, &c. it becomes only applicable here, to introduce such useful remarks as appertain to the species in general, under the separate fatalities of MADNESS and DISEASES.
The signs of madness in a dog are as follow: He becomes dull, solitary, and endeavours to hide himself: he seldom barks, but makes a kind of murmuring noise, and refuses all kinds of meat and drink: he is enraged at, and flies upon, strangers; but in this stage he remembers and respects his master: his ears and head hang down; he walks nodding, as if overpowered with sleep: this is the first stage; and a bite now, though dangerous, is not so bad as afterwards. After these symptoms, the dog begins to pant; he breathes quick and heavy; hangs out his tongue, to emit a great deal of froth from his mouth, which he keeps perpetually open: sometimes he walks slowly, and as if half asleep, and then suddenly runs, but not always directly forward, as pretended: at length he forgets his master; his eyes look dispirited, dull, full of tears, and red; his tongue is of a lead colour, he grows faint and weak; oft reels, staggers, and falls; then rises suddenly, and attempts to fly at every thing, becoming now mad and furious: this second stage seldom continues thirty hours, death putting by that time an end to the disease: and a bite received during the last stage is justly considered incurable. To these distinguishing traits of the dreadful malady, may be added the following, which are believed certain and invariable. All other dogs are alarmed at the approach of a dog really mad, and, upon smelling him, not only instantly avoid him, but run away with horror. The tone of the dog's voice when he barks, seems hoarse and hollow. In the dumb madness, if the dog is confined, he barks incessantly for a day or two.
Those who wish to go into a most ingenious and explanatory investigation of madness, and its different kinds in dogs, will feel themselves highly gratified in a perusal of that part of Mr. Daniel's "Rural Sports," who has systematically introduced the best and most judicious opinions and authorities upon the subject.
The disease occasioned by the bite of a mad dog is called HYDROPHOBIA; and the smallest quantity of his saliva, either fresh or dry, will produce it. The infection frequently lies dormant for many months, and then displays itself with the greatest violence; but, in general, it appears from a month to six weeks, at the expiration of which, if no symptoms of disorder are perceptible, the patient is considered to be safe, and not to have received the infection. It has been thought by the best medical authority, that the nearer the place bitten is to the salivary glands, the sooner the symptoms appear; and this, by observation and experience, is now fully confirmed.
In order to communicate the infection, a wound is no more necessary than it is in the small-pox; to the HUMAN SPECIES it can be communicated by the saliva only; but dogs have received it by being in the KENNEL where mad dogs have been before. This disorder, it seems, is only inherent and natural to the canine species, (as the dog, fox, and wolf;) but other animals having received the infection, by the puncture of the tooth from either of those, may then communicate it to any other species, and by the same means.
When the human species become unhappily the subjects of this disorder, though in particular instances some variation may be observed, the symptoms are in general a slight pain in the wound, sometimes attended with itching, but always resembling a rheumatic pain; it extends also into the neighbouring parts, and at length from the extremities it passes into the viscera; the cicatrix (if there has been a wound) begins to swell, inflames, and then to discharge an ichor; and this alone may be considered the primary and invariable symptom of a certain hydrophobia. There are other more general pains, resembling rheumatic ones, and are of a quick, flying, convulsive kind: they affect the patient in the neck, joints, and other parts; a dull pain often seizes the head, neck, breast, belly, and even runs along the back-bone. The patient is gloomy, murmurs much, is forgetful, and drowsy; at times the mind seems disordered; by turns he is watchful; his slumbers become disturbed, and awaking from them, convulsive agitations immediately follow.
A deafness is sometimes complained of; the eyes are watery, the aspect sorrowful; the face becomes pale and contracted; sweat also breaks out about the temples: an unusual flow of saliva at length comes on, with a dryness of the fauces, a foulness of the tongue, and a disagreeable, or rather fœtid, effluvia from the breath. As the above symptoms increase, the second stage advances: a fever comes on, which at first is mild, but attended with momentary horrors, and violent periodical agitations; wakefulness becomes continual; the mind is more and more disturbed; a delirium approaches; and an aversion to fluids and polished bodies is at this time plainly perceptible. At first, a constriction of the gullet is perceived, and a difficulty of swallowing; but as yet liquids are freely taken, although soon refused: this symptom augments so visibly, that, when any liquid comes before their sight, an horror immediately seizes them; and if they make an effort to drink, spasms are produced, on which horrid gesticulations, and loss of senses, follow. The patient now murmurs, groans, and mourns most distressingly, loses by degrees all knowledge of his most intimate acquaintance, and then becomes desirous of biting: reason returns at intervals, and he laments his own calamity; the thirst excites a desire to drink, but in vain they strive, and soon sink into the most affecting despondency. Conscious of the approaching inclination to bite, he warns his friends of their danger, and, by words or motions, advises them to keep at a distance. Toward the conclusion, the fever and thirst increase, the tongue hangs out, the mouth foams, strength fails, cold sweats come on, the tightness in the breast increases, as well as all the predominant symptoms, till the patient expires in strong convulsions.
The subject of MADNESS in DOGS, and the HYDROPHOBIA in the human species, afford ample scope for reflection and scientific disquisition: this, however, not being the proper place for a literary enlargement upon either, it becomes necessary to introduce a few remarks upon that well known destructive disorder called "THE DISTEMPER," which Mr. Daniel properly observes, "is the most fatal (the plague only excepted) that any animal is subject to. It is astonishing what numbers have been destroyed by it within the period of its being known in this country, which is about forty years: whether the attention paid, and the medicines of different kinds now usually administered in its first stages, have occasioned the alteration, certain it is, the disease is milder, and less frequent, than it was twelve or fifteen years since."