. 157 



bilities during pregnancy, we might reasonably ex- 

 pect such a result as abortion from sympathy. Imag- 

 ination, indeed, may produce abortion, but by an 

 entirely similar impression on the nervous system to 

 that produced by fright. Hysteria is a disease of a 

 nervous, spasmodic character, generally resulting 

 from the sympathy of the uterus, or womb, with 

 other organs, especially the stomach. The nervous 

 system here is the medium through which the mor- 

 bid impression is transmitted, and this peculiar organ 

 is susceptible of being affected even by mental im- 

 pressions. 



An acquaintance, a large breeder, had several 

 mares slink their foals the same night. I have read 

 of several similar instances. Three cases, which fell 

 under my observation, were caused by the owner 

 purchasing a mare in the habit of slinking. The 

 first year, at Christmas, she and three others aborted, 

 and the next year five. The third year, the habitual 

 aborter was separated from the others and followed 

 her usual habit, but all the others went to their term, 

 as they did ever after. 



