PECULIAE TO HOESES. 21 



nerves of involuntary motion. Persons who have dissected ani- 

 mals which were once the subjects of stringhalt, declare that they 

 found pressure on the posterior portion of the spinal column. 



I have noticed that many horses, the subjects of commencing 

 spavin, have stringhalt when they start. This may be occasioned 

 by irritation on the nerve which passes over the hock. 



Medicine has but little if any power over this disease, yet, if 

 the reader wishes to try the effects of the same, I would advise 

 the use of stimulating liniment, to be applied over the region of the 

 back, and inside of the thighs, and let the animal have a couple of 

 drachms of asafcetida every day for a week or more. Most vete- 

 rinary surgeons contend that stringhalt is incurable. In France the 

 action of a stringhalt horse is (on the dancing-master principle) con- 

 sidered rather graceful than otherwise; so that if any of the readers 

 of this work happen to have a hoi*se the subject of stringhalt which 

 they camiot cure, they had better ship him to France. 



MEGRIMS. 



Megrims, in the horse, is supposed to be analogous to epilepsy in 

 man. A horse the subject of this affection is apt to appear dull and 

 stupid when at work, and will, at a later period in the stage of the 

 malady, be seized with a sudden fit, and drop down in the shafts ; 

 at other times will gallop forwards and run head foremost into any 

 obstacle which happens to be in his way ; he soon after goes into 

 convulsions and becomes insensible. 



A horse subject to this malady is never safe to drive, and conse- 

 quently is almost worthless ; indeed, when attacked, his recovery is 

 never certain, for he often dies in convulsions. 



Treatment. — Bathe the head constantly with cold water, and 

 apply spirits of ammonia to his nostrils ; should the case be a cura- 

 ble one, the animal will soon rise, when he must be led, cautiously, 

 to the stable. Then administer the following: 



Powdered Golden Seal 1 ounce. 



Mandrake 1 " 



Ginger 2 " 



Carbonate of Soda 1 " 



Divide into ten parts, and give one, night and morning, in a few 

 oats. 



INFLAMIIATION OF THE BRAIN. 



Animals most subject to this affection, have a short thick neck 

 and l)ulky forehead ; the disease is one of the most formidable with 

 which we have to contend, as it often ends in frenzy ; sometimes, 

 however, dropsy of the brain sets in, at others, rupture of a blood 

 vessel takes place — in either case, death is very apt to ensue. 



