12 MANUAL OF MODERN FARRIERY. 



assume a fixed, vacant, and wild stare, which is followed by 

 complete delirium ; he becomes furious, and dashes about 

 in a violent manner from side to side, being quite unconscious 

 of his actions. 



The mad staggers are considerably alike in their symptoms 

 to rabies or common madness, and also to colic. In the 

 former of these maladies, the horse retains his consciousness, 

 and the violence of his actions will depend upon the peculiar 

 character of the madness. In some instances a desire to be 

 miscliievous is manifested. In colic the horse rises and falls, 

 although not in a violent manner ; sometimes, however, he 

 plunges ; but in most cases he rolls himself about, and fre- 

 quently looks towards his flanks with an evident expression 

 of suffering pain. 



Causes. — This disease is caused by the animal being too 

 fat, too full of blood, by the chyle having too strong a ten- 

 dency to widen the vessels ; and especially when the horse 

 is over-heated during warm weather. The fever produced 

 thereby causes a determination of blood to the head, and thus 

 terminating in what is generally denominated " brain fever." 



Remedy. — The treatment in this malady is at all times 

 exceedingly uncertain. Profuse bleeding should first be 

 resorted to by opening the jugular veins in both sides of the 

 neck. The incision with the lancet should be large, as the 

 more rapid the flow of blood, it is the more likely to prove 

 beneficial in its effects. As much should be taken as will 

 cause him to fall ; or if he is down at the time, until he 

 manifests evident signs of exhaustion. After this the follow- 

 ing purgative should be administered : — 



Newly- powdered croton nut . . -§• drachm, 

 to be given in a drink of oatmeal and water. Every six 

 hours thereafter doses of ten grains should be given, until the 

 bowels are freely moved ; to assist in which, injections of 



