OR, HORSE DOCTOR. \^ 



The Staggers. 



This disease is caused by the liyer making blood so fast 

 that the cavity of the heart is overloaded and the blood flies 

 up the neck vein till the head is overloaded too ; and if re- 

 lief can not be obtained, the horse soon dies. 



Symptoms. — The most common are, drowsiness, watery and 

 somewhat full and inflamed eyes, a disposition to reel, fee- 

 bleness, a bad appetite, the head generally hanging down, 

 or resting on the manger. There is little or no fever, and 

 the dung and urine are very little altered. The horse soon 

 begins to reel, and falls down, and sometimes is so outra- 

 geous as to bite every thing in his way. 



Cure. — In the first place, bleed him well as soon as you 

 possibly can, by striking the veins in several places at once, 

 and taking away four or five quarts at one time ; and, in 

 order to raise up his head and shoulders, support them with 

 plenty of straw. If he survive the first fit, cut several 

 rowels, give him clysters at night and morning, made of bar- 

 ley-water and a little sweet oil and salt ; and blow up his 

 nostrils a little Cayenne pepper, or white hellebore. Also 



give him 



4 drams of Bark. 

 16 grains of Turbeth Mineral. 

 J?<j ounce of Camphor. 



Give it in a little warm ale. "When ale cannot be con- 

 veniently had, any other beverage to disguise the taste 

 will answer. If the horse be outrageous, give him 



1 ounjce of Tincture of Opium. 



1 gill of Syrup of Poppies. 



1 ounce of Tincture Gruaiacum. 



Be carefal not to let him knock his head, for it will in- 

 crease the disorder. If he gets through the first fit, give 

 him two ounces of crocus metalorura every day, to thin his 

 blood for fear of a relapse. It will be proper to give him 

 the following ball once a month for some time after : 



1 ounce of Rhubarb, in powder. 

 ^ ounce of Jalap. 

 1 dram of Calomel, 8 drams to the ounce. 



To be made into a ball with syrup of buckthorn. This 

 ball will be of great use in thinning the blood, and prevent- 

 ing a return of the disorder ; for when a horse has had one 

 fit of it, he is very likely to 'have another, if care be not 

 taken to prevent it. 



