§ Mr. BUXTONasked the Under-Secretary of State for War what instructions have been issued by the Army veterinary authorities in regard to the clipping of horses and mules tethered out; and whether the practice of clipping such horses and mules is considered by them to be. a cause of sickness?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONExcept for animals in veterinary hospitals the functions of the Army veterinary authorities are advisory only. On their advice all Army horses are clipped all over as far as possible before the end of November and subsequently left unclipped except for veterinary reasons. If it becomes necessary, for veterinary reasons, to clip them all over they are placed under cover as far as possible, or provided with two rugs, if tethered in the open. Mules are not clipped except for veterinary reasons. With these precautions and limitations the practice of clipping is not considered by the Army veterinary authorities to be a cause of sickness.