42 TIIE MODERN HOUSE DOCTOR. 



then insist on forcing down a drench, a portion of it might enter 

 the air passages and choke him. The attendant is at times in 

 danger of personal injury from the animal's suddenly falling ; 

 but these suggestions apply more to those forms of disease 

 known as 



INFLAMMATION OF TIIE BHAIN. — (Phrenitis.) 



This form of disease corresponds to that recognized by human 

 practitioners as brain fever. In the horse, the disease, frequently, 

 in its last stages, assumes so violent a form that veterinary prac- 

 titioners have denominated it mad staggers. The animal is not 

 rabid, however, but frantic ; now rearing on his hind legs, the 

 fore ones are plunged into the crib ; he extends the head as high 

 as possible towards the ceiling, and then, as quick as thought, 

 furiously dashes himself against the stall, or on the floor, where 

 he lies panting for breath, in a perfect state of delirium. At 

 other times, convulsions will follow each other in quick succes- 

 sion ; the animal pants, perspires, and foams at the mouth, as if 

 he were about to breathe his last breath ; and a happy release 

 from his sufferings would it be, if at this stage the vital spark 

 were to vacate its tenement ; but, unfortunately, he is often doomed 

 to suffer for hours, and sometimes days, ere death takes place. 



Treatment. — The treatment of mad staggers must be con- 

 ducted on the same principles as in the preceding disease. We 

 must embrace the most favorable opportunity ; and perhaps 

 while the animal is down will be the best time to administer the 



following drench : — 



\ 



Pulverized aloes, "... 7 drachms, 



" assafoctida, 2 " 



Hot water, 1 pint. 



This medicine should be followed up, at intervals, with doses 

 of salt and water ; two ounces of salt to one pint of water, grad- 

 ually diminishing the quantity of salt until purgation sets in, 

 when it should be discontinued. Injections should be thrown 

 into the rectum every four hours, composed of 



Powdered lobelia, l n ? nnr .\, i „, 1T ,™ 

 bloodroot, 5 of each 1 ounce, 



Hot water, two or three quarts. 



