76 THE VETEEINAEIAN 



follows. The horse as a rule eats and drinks ravenously 

 when the first signs of staggers are noticed, but in its 

 latter stages the tongue and gullet become paralyzed and 

 although the animal attempts to eat and drink he can- 

 not swallow. The pulse varies. It is strong, but sub- 

 normal when the first symptoms of staggers are noticed, 

 that is to say, it is as slow as twenty to twenty-five 

 beats per minute. As the disease progresses, however, 

 it becomes weaker and faster. Constipation frequently 

 accompanies this disease, also paleness tinged with yel- 

 low about the mucous membranes of the mouth and eyes. 

 In many instances I believe that the poisonous forage 

 eaten by horses depresses the heart action to such an ex- 

 tent that it results in the brain not receiving the proper 

 blood supply, causing dizziness or staggers. 



Treatment: Place the animal in a clean, dark stall, 

 keeping the surroundings as quiet as possible. In its 

 first stages it is easily treated, but as the horse becomes 

 easily excited and his swallowing becomes difficult, treat- 

 ment becomes more difficult. When the first signs are 

 noticed, administer a physic as : Aloin, two or three 

 drams ; Ginger, two or three drams, according to the size 

 of the animal. Place in gelatin capsule and give with 

 capsule gun. This physic removes the irritant from the 

 intestines and prevents its absorption into the blood. 

 Also administer the following: Bromide of Potassium, 

 twelve ounces ; Nitrate of Potash, four ounces ; Iodide of 

 Potash, three ounces. Make into twenty-four capsules 

 and give one capsule every four hours. 



My method of administering medicine to animals places 

 me in a position to treat them and compel them to take 

 the medicine even though paralysis may exist. When 

 animals will eat, feed food that is easily digested, as hot 

 wheat bran mashes, steamed rolled oats and vegetables 

 and give small quantities, but often, of clean fresh water. 

 It is necessary to give stimulants and tonics as soon as 

 they are on the road to recovery, as Pulv. Nux Vomica, 



