402 MODERN FARKIER. 



1. The Staggers. 



Symptoms. — This affection is called not only the 

 Staggers, but also the Hydrocephalus^ Sturdy, Gog- 

 gles, Turnsick, &c. This disease is particularly in- 

 cident to young sheep, or hogs of a year or eighteen 

 months old. It consists in a collection of water, 

 generally formed upon the external surface of the 

 brain immediately below the skull, and sometimes, 

 though not often, in the centre or ventricles of the 

 brain. The disorder is first discovered by the ani- 

 mal not keeping up with the rest of the flock, and 

 by its appearing dull and stupid. It is afterward 

 observed to go round in a giddy manner, and at 

 length appears blind. It may remain a long time 

 in this situation before it dies ; and it is said that 

 sheep have sometimes recovered without any thing 

 being done to them. They are often in good order 

 when they die, as they continue to feed well, until 

 near the last period. 



Cause. — The ventricles of the brain are kept 

 constantly moistened with a fluid, which, when col- 

 lected in too great quantities, forms one species of 

 this disease, and one which is generally deemed in- 

 curable. The other, and most common species of 

 the disease, arises from animalcul^e, called hytatids. 

 In this case the water is contained in cysts, or bags, 

 unconnected with the brain, on which, however, if 

 not prevented, it acts fatally by pressure. It would 

 appear too, that a long continuation of the pressure 

 occasions part of the brain to be completely dis- 

 organized. 



Cure. — ^Various methods of relieving the pressure 

 on the brain have been proposed, and when put in 

 practice by skilful and patient hands, most of them 

 have succeeded. It would be superfluous to enu- 

 merate and describe them all, as a method has been 

 found of perforating the cyst, which has succeeded 



