BODY MOVEMENTS. 217 



Epilepsy. Characteristic epileptic spasms occur either only at 

 the head and neck (partial epilepsy) or the whole body is affected 

 (general epilepsy). Animals stop suddenly, distort their eyes, 

 blink, spasmodically contract the muscles of the lips and face, 

 raise their heads high and jerk them to one side, sometimes they 

 step to and fro, or backward and forward, restlessly. In general 

 epilepsy the spasms rapidly extend over the whole body; mastica- 

 tory movements are spasmodic, the saliva is churned into foam, 

 the animals grate their teeth, spasmodically distort their neck side- 

 ways, the muscles generally undergo spasmodic contractions, the 

 animals stagger and fall and then the spasms may continue for 

 some minutes. An attack may last from ^ to 15 minutes, the 

 horses then get up and become quieted. The intervals between 

 attacks are very irregular. 



The above described idiopathic epilepsy must be distinguished 

 from acute cerebral affections and from epileptiform spasms due to 

 peripheral irritations (reflex epilepsy). 



Vertigo. Attacks usually occur while animals are at work; 

 they suddenly walk slower, nod and shake their heads, snort, raise 

 their heads up and sideways, stagger, spread their legs and not 

 infrequently fall down. Here they lie quietly, sometimes kick a 

 little and then get up again. During the attack there is a loss of 

 consciousness and sensibility, sometimes increased respiration and 

 profuse sweating. 



Attacks of dizziness due to congestion of the brain (compres- 

 sion of the jugulars) and to cerebral anemia (stenosis of aortic 

 valves) do not belong under the head of idiopathic vertigo. 



V. Examination for Balkiness. 



Balkiness is refractoriness manifested in common and 

 accustomed work. Hence a horse must be tested while at 

 accustomed work, and we must proceed with utmost caution 

 and quiet and avoid everything that might excite the animal. 

 The examining veterinarian must be pres- 

 ent during all manipulations and see to it 

 that rough or improper treatment is avoided. 



We first examine those parts of the body that bear the 

 weight and pressure of the harness and see that no morbid or 

 painful conditions exist ; the animal is then properly harnessed. 

 In case the harness does not fit, it should be made so by short- 

 ening or lengthening parts that may require it, or by using 

 a new set of harness. Then the animal is tested in the 

 capacity for which it is intended, single or double, as coach 

 or draft horse, or under the rider, as the case mav be. Active 



