2g THE COMPLETE FARRIER, 



Convulsions, or the Stag Evil. 



Of all disorders to which horses are subject, this is the 

 worst, and is scarcely discoverable till the horse falls down 

 raging mad. It seizes him all at once, without any previous 

 warning. He raises his head, with his nose toward the rack, 

 pricks up his ears, and cocks his tail. In this posture he 

 continues, and those who do not understand the disorder 

 never suppose that he ails any thing of consequence. But 

 other symptoms soon convince them of their mistake ; for 

 his neck grows stiff, cramped, and almost immovable ; his 

 jaws are locked, and every tendon in his body becomes 

 stiff. If he can get his mouth open he will bite any thing 

 that comes in his way ; and if he lives a few days in this 

 condition, several knots will arise on the tendinous parts of 

 it. Every muscle is so much cramped and extended, that 

 the horse looks as if he were fastened to the place, with his 

 legs stiff, wide, and staggering, and the skin drawn so tight 

 over every part of his body, that it is almost impossible for 

 him to move ; and if you attempt to make him walk, he will 

 be ready to fall at every step, unless he be well supported. 

 At the same time his eyes are so fixed by the contraction 

 of the muscles as to give him a dead look. He snorts and 

 sneezes often, pants continually, and his shortness of breath 

 increases till the distemper takes a favorable turn, or the 

 horse falls down and dies. 



Curb. — In the first place, bleed plentifully, unless the horse 

 be old and low in flesh, or taken from some hard duty, and 

 then you must not take so much blood. After bleeding give 

 the following ball, if you can get it in, but the horse is very 

 often jaw-locked till nothing can be got in but by clyster- 

 pipe put between his fore and axle teeth. 



^ ounce of Assofoetida. 



^ ounce of Gum Guaiacum. 



Mi ounce of Gum Camphor. 



Make them up into a ball with honey, and give one of 

 these balls every twelve hours, for two days, if you can get 

 them in ; and if not, dissolve them in a little hot beer, and 

 give them Avith the clyster-pipe. Be careful to powder the 

 Gums. Then make an ointment or lotion of the following : 



1 ounce of Oil of Spike. 

 1 ounce of Oil of Amber. 

 1 ounce of Oil of Bricks. 

 1 ounce of Spirits of Sal Ammoniac. 



Shake them well together, and rub the jaws just below the 



