TKFLAMMATI0N8.] MODERN VETERINAKT PR.\( TKM^. [inflammatioxs. 



diseases from nnotiuM-, may bo nppreoiablo by 

 moilerix comprelu'nsioii, or ivceivo giMionil 

 criHlit, wo know not; but oontVss, whore tho 



patient, and throws himself about in n most 

 extraordinary manner, as if ho were fri^jhtened ; 

 or he falls into n drowsy state, holding his 



judijmeut has to be formed from observation head low, and resting it on tho manger. 



alone, maile by a close scruliny of the 

 patient, circumstances very seldom so far 

 concur as to enable us to form so singular a 

 distinction. Experience and observation may, 

 undoubtedly, do much, in a collection of simili- 

 tudes and probabilities, but never suflicient to 

 enable us to ascertain the distinct, invariable 

 causes and efl'ects of diseases, where the most 



Tiien, all of a sudden, he will commence 

 throwing himself about again. If tho disease 

 should not be s|)eedily alleviated, but continuo 

 for a day or two, ho will exhibit a kind of 

 vacant stare, or watchfulness; tho eyes will 

 appear set, as it were, in the head — ^their sight 

 almost gone; his nostrils expanded, his head 

 raised as high as he possibly can, as if staring 



trilliii" dillerence is hardly acknowledged. I at the rack, lie now becomes more furious 

 More particularlv is this the case wheu it is and violent ; dashes about the pavement in 

 considered that the cause of all these disor- ' convulsive and insensible struggles ; perhaps, 

 dors is iu the original seat of nervous irrita- j falls, then suddenly rises again, to renew his 

 bility, the brain ; or in those parts connected i violence. 



with, or dependent on its structure and pur- 

 ]ioscs ; except when tlie diseases are under- 

 stood to be symptomatic, or dependent upon 



Diseases originating iu the most abstruse 

 recesses of nature, though of a very com- 

 plicated construction, may proceed from a 



some original remote cause — as the effect of variety of Cfl«/sf5, clearly comprehended ; as, iu 

 hots, preying upon the stomach or intestines, ! all probability, they may likewise do, from 

 internal ulcerations, or complaints not imine- many that we are entirely unacquainted with. 

 diately discoverable. These may sometimes Among the former is that which originates 



happen, but very rarely, to affect the frame 

 with symptoms truly alarming. 



Horses, upon the approach of any of those 

 disorders whose seat is directly in the brain, 

 or nervous system, display considerable weak- 

 ness and inactivity ; seeming to move reluc- 

 tantly, reeling, or staggering in their walk ; 

 frequently blinking with their eyes, as if their 

 vision were imperfect, and feeling some disa- 

 greeable impression, or uneasiness, from the 



in the increase of the velocity of the blood, 

 instantaneously affecting the brain, as we find 

 when we exceed the bounds of humanity, and 

 exhaust the strength and power of an animal, 

 made by nature sufficiently strong to accom- 

 plish almost every task the ingenuity or 

 avarice of man might be supposed to invent. 

 In corroboration of this, the premature deaths, 

 occasioned by increasing the velocity of tho 

 blood beyond the limits prescribed by nature. 



effect of light. They are also much averse to I extend principally to post-horses, in the 



being handled about the head, and are brought 

 out of the stable with difficulty. In time, a 

 visible tremor comes on ; and, after reeling, or 

 frequently turning round, if loose, they fall 

 almost lifeless to the ground, having only the 

 perceptible power of breathing with violence 

 and agitation. 



Horses affected with staggers have a disin- 

 clination for food of all kinds. They have also 

 a slight discharge of moisture from the eyes, 

 which, if attentively observed, even in the 

 earliest stages of the disease, will be found 

 inflamed, and somewhat flushed in colour. 

 Hence the blinking of which we have spoken. 

 The nostrils also may be observed redder than 

 usual ; but this is not always a true symptom. 

 As the disease advances, the horse appears im- 



treme heat of summer; and may be attributed 

 to the impatience of travellers, or inhuman 

 drivers. 



To these, some, but very few, private horses 

 may be added, being hard driven upon long 

 journeys ; and others, imprudently ridden and 

 improperly managed during chases of great 

 length, in strong deep countries, with fleet 

 hounds. 



Others become the subjects of these disor- 

 ders, from great irritation in the stomach and 

 bowels ; the powerful effects of bots in the 

 intestinal canal; sharp and acrid medicines; a 

 repulsion of any morbid matter from the sur- 

 face, without its being carried off by proper 

 evacuauts, &c. They are frequently known 

 to attack very suddenly ; at other times their 



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