376 



MEGRIMS. 



are cerebral congestions, commencing in the chest from 

 mordmate exertions; occasionally, but less frequently it 

 may have other sources. 



The only case of this affection which happened in the 

 practice of the editor of the present edition, was attended 

 with no premonitory symptoms. The horse was of the 

 Flanders' breed, and was slowly recovering an attack of in- 

 fluenza. No change was observed in the animal, when it 

 threw up Its head, stiffened its legs, died, and fell down. 

 After death, examination being made, one of the middle 

 cerebral arteries was found ruptured, and a considerable 

 quantity of blood eflrised. 



MEGRIMS 



May be considered as a minor apoplexy from interrupted 

 circulation ; and is known among farriers and horse-men 

 by the additional names of sturdy, or turnsick. It fre- 

 quently attacks horses during their work, particularly in 

 harness : it is, however, now and then seen, in hot weather 

 m the stable or at grass. When it seizes a horse in exer- 

 cise he stops short, shakes his head, looks irresolute and 

 wandering; in this state he remains for a few minutes 

 and then proceeds as before. In more violent cases he falls 

 at once to the ground ; or first runs round, and then sinks 

 senseless ; or the limbs may continue to move after con 

 sciousness is lost, when the animal thus affected becomes 

 very dangerous : in either case, the whole system appears 

 agitated by strong convulsions ; the horse may dung and 

 stale insensibly ; he sometimes is violent, at others more 

 passive, but is equally unconscious to everv thing around • 

 after remaining so a longer or shorter period, his faculties 

 return, and he rises. It is frequently brought on by me- 

 chanical causes, which produce a momentary congestion of 

 the brain ; as tight reining up, or the pressure of the collar 

 in ascending a hill, which obstructs the return of blood 

 from the head. It may also be occasioned by a morbid 

 pressure produced by constitutional causes. Such are 

 found in the plethoric, over-fed horse ; particularly when 

 subjected to long confinement. 



The treatment must be regulated by the cause : if it be 

 mechanical, remove it, or the afl:ection may become habi- 



