MAD AND SLEEPY STAGGEES. 271 



These diseases may be primarily affections of the brain ; ox they may, 

 and frequently do arise from indigestion, and in such cases the brain, 

 though equally affected, is only secondarily diseased. 



548. Symptoms of deranrjemenl of the Brain. 



The symptoms of derangement of the fimctions of the brain vary very 

 much in different cases, according as that organ is, by partial paralysis of 

 its functions, reduced to a comatose or semi-comatose condition, or is 

 by inflammation excited to an over-sensitive state. 



The comatose condition is known as Sleepy staggers, whilst the excited 

 state is variously termed Mad staggers, Encephalitis, Phrenitis, or Brain 

 Fever. 



549. Symptoms of Sleepy Staggers or Coma arising primarily from 



affection of the Brain. 



In Sleepy Staggers, the horse in the premonitory stage appears dull 

 and listless, careless about his food, stands drowsily with his head in a 

 corner, and sometimes falls asleep, even whilst feeding. He walks with 

 a straggling gait, and has a difficulty in maintaining his balance in 

 turning. 



The pulse and respirations in the first instance are always slower than 

 natural. Should the disease increase, the eyes become red, the lids are 

 partially closed, and the pupil is dilated. The urine is scanty and high- 

 coloured, and the bowels are torpid, but neither distended nor tender. 



These lethargic symptoms sometimes continue with little intermission 

 for several days, and when depending on a tumour or abscesses in the 

 brain, may last for weeks with occasional attacks of a phrenitic character. 

 If no relief is given by nature or treatment, the case will terminate 

 fatally, either by the lethargic symptoms running on to positive coma, 

 with stertorous breathing, or in some cases apoplexy may supervene ; or 

 more generally after the dulness has lasted for a short time, the disease 

 runs into Encephalitis or Mad staggers. As the disease approaches a 

 fatal termination, the pulse becomes quicker and smaller, and at last 

 thready. 



In coma, the blood-vessels of the brain are, it is supposed, in a state 

 of congestion. This may increase and end in rupture and extravasation 

 of blood, giving rise to apoplexy and sudden death, even whilst the 

 patient is still in the comatose state. Usually, however coma when a 

 primaiy affection, runs on to Encephalitis. 



550. Symptoms of Sleepy Staggers arising primarily from Stomach. 



When the disease arises from a gorged state of the stomach and in- 

 digestion, (and the brain is only secondarily affected,) the symptoms are 

 the same as described above, — except that in addition the stomach is so 

 much distended by an undue quantity of food, probably of not a veiy 

 digestible character, that it is unable to contract upon it and assimilate 

 it. Hence the food not going through the necessaiy processes, soon 



