A sick box is useful in the smallest stable, and is a necessity in a large one. The only thing needed to convert an ordinary loose-box into a sick one is the addition of a set of slings, which should be suspended from the roof or ceiling in such a manner that the horse, when the slings are under him, will be in a position to eat comfortably out of the manger, which should preferably be placed at the centre of the wall at the head of the box, with - contrary to what 1 have advised for ordinary use - the watering bucket or basin and the hay receptacle at its respective sides. The hook holding the block of the chain should be particularly strong, and should be securely fixed to a stout beam overhead. The chain should be of the endless kind and should work in a multiplying block, so that the slings, which should be provided with a breastplate and breeching, can be raised or lowered with ease, safety, and exactness. In order to give rest to the horse when he has to continue standing for a long time - maybe for months - the height of the slings should be regulated so that he can bear his weight on them or not as he chooses; for if he be in any way suspended in them, the resulting pressure on his abdomen will not only be uncomfortable to him, but if continued even for a few hours, will interfere more or less with his digestion. For dressing painful wounds, especially of the limbs, slings are often a valuable means of control, by taking the animal off his legs for the time being. A few rings fixed at convenient positions in the wall and divisions, are useful for the attachment of hobbles, one or more of which can be put on the horse's legs, so as to prevent him from moving them in any undesired direction.

With the possibility of having to treat cases of infectious diseases, it is well to have the sick box far removed and strictly isolated from the other boxes and stalls. This segregation will also be frequently valuable by reason of its guarding the animal from being disturbed by the noises and movements made by other horses and by grooms.