212 



THE MODERN SYSTEM 



hut very rarely, to affect the frame with symp- 

 toms truly alarming. 



Horses, upon the approach of any of those 

 disorders, whose seat is directly in the brain, 

 or nervous system, display in a considerable 

 manner, a previous weakness and inactivity ; 

 seeming to move reluctantly, reeling, or stag- 

 gering in their walk ; frequently blinking with 

 their eyes, as if vision was imperfect ; conse- 

 quently, feeling some awkward depression or 

 uneasiness from the effect of light. They are 

 also much averse to handling about the head, 

 and are brought out of the stable with difH- 

 oiilty. In time, a visible tremor comes on ; 

 and, after reeling, or frequently turning round, 

 if loose, they fall almost lifeless to the ground, 

 having the perceptible power of breathing 

 only ; but that in a degree of violence and 

 agitation. Horses affected with staggers, 

 have a disinclination for food of all kinds. 

 There is also a slisrht runnina: of moisture 

 from the eyes, which, if attentively observed, 

 even in the very early stages, will be found 

 inflamed, and somewhat flushed in colour. 

 Hence that blinking appearance, as spoken of 

 before. The nostrils also, may be observed 

 redder than usual ; but this is not always a 

 true symptom. As the disease advances, the 

 Horse appears impatient, and throws himself 

 about in a most extraordinary manner, as 

 though frightened at something; or he fulls 

 into a drowsy state, holding his head low, and 

 resting it on the manger. Then, all of a sud- 

 den, he will commence throwing himself about 

 again. If the disease should not be speedily 

 alleviated, but continue for a day or two, the 

 Horse will exhibit a kind of vacant stare, or 

 watchfulness, the eyes appear set, as it were, 

 in the head, his sight almost gone, his nostrils 

 are expanded, his head raised as high as 



1 he possibly can, as if staring at the rack. 

 The animal becomes now more furious and 

 violent, dashes about the pavement in convul- 

 sive and insensible struggles; perhaps, falls; 

 then suddenly rising again, to renew his 

 violence. 



Diseases originating in the most abstruse 

 recesses of Nature, and that will admit such a 

 complication of constructions, may proceed 

 from a variety of causes, clearly compre- 

 hended ; as, in all probability, they may 

 likewise, from many that we are entirely 

 unacquainted ^vith. Among the former, is 

 that cause originating in the preternatural in- 

 crease of the velocity of the blood, instan- 

 taneously affecting the brain, as is too fre- 

 quently found, in madly exceeding the boiuids 

 of humanity, and exhausting the strength 

 and power of an animal, made by Nature 

 sufficiently strong to bear almost every task 

 the degeneracy or avarice of man could be 

 supposed to invent. In corroboration of this 

 circumstance of the premature deaths, occa- 

 sioned by increasing the velocity of the blood 

 beyond the limits prescribed by Nature, these 

 causes may extend principally to post-horses, 

 in the extreme heat of summer ; and may be 

 attributed to the impatience of travellers, or 

 inhuman drivers. 



To these, some (but very few,) of private 

 property, may be added ; being hard drove 

 upon long and speedy journeys, and others, 

 imprudently rode and improperly managed, 

 during chaces of great length, in strong deep 

 countries, with fleet hounds. 



Others become the subjects of these dis- 

 orders, from great irritation in the stomach 

 and bowels; the powerful effects of bots i\ 

 the intestinal canal ; sharp and acrid medi- 

 cines ; a repulsion of any morbid matter frora 



