Chap. XVIL Of the Falling Evil, &c. 6i 



CHAP. XVIL 



Of the Falling Evil and ConvulJionSy 



^HE Falling Evily is that which, in the Phyficlam 

 ^ Terms, comes under the Denomination of an Epi- 

 hpfy\ and feems to be no other than an Apoplexy or 

 Vertigo^ accompanied with Convulfions^ either as the Caufe 

 or EiFeft. 



In the Falling Evil, a Horfe drops down of a fudden^ 

 his Teeth and his Eyes become fix'd, but his Head and 

 Body is fhook and extremely agitated ; Froth bubbles out: 

 of his Mouth, his Flanks heave and labour, and fometimes 

 there is an involuntary Excretion of the Dung and Urine : 

 AH which arife from an involuntary and dilbrderly Mo- 

 tion of the Blood and animal Spirits, rufhing with greater 

 Impetuolity into a Mufcle on one Side, than that which is 

 its Antagonift, fo as to occafion a Vellication and Contrac- 

 tion of that Mufcle; and becaufe there is not an equal 

 Qiiantity of Blood and Spirits detach'd into the oppoiite 

 Mufcle, therefore that Member cannot be extended as well 

 as contraded, but drawn one Way, and the Part afFefted 

 will continue immoveable, excepting in thofe violent 

 Shocks and Agitations. 



The Caufe of Convulfwis are. Fir ft ^ 7he Cmfe qf 

 v/hatever waftes and exhaufts the Body, or Con^uljims . 

 any of its Parts, as the taking away too much Blood, violent 

 Purging, or hard Labour, long Sicknefs. Secondly, What- 

 ever fills the Body too much, and gives Origin to Obftruc- 

 tions in the Blood-veilels or Nerves, or brings a Debility 

 and Weaknefs into the Stomach : And Laftly^ Wounds, or 

 whatever elfe caufes Pain and Inflammation. 



As to the Cure, it is the fame with that of an Apoplexy 

 or Vertigo ; only this general Rule is to be obferved, that 

 v.'hen it proceeds from Loofenefs, Evacuations by Bleeding 

 and Purging are to be laid afide, excepting where fome Cir- 

 cumllances may make a moderate Ufe of them neceilary : 

 But as our BritiJI) Horfes are feldom troubled with thefe 

 Diforders, excepting when they are occafioned by Wounds, 

 or other things inducing exquifite Pain and Vellications in 

 the more fenSbie Parts ; and becaufe thefe wilt be taken 

 Notice of in their proper Places, we fhall therefore omit 

 faying any thing farther about them here. 

 . . CHAP. 



