THE SO-CALLED "INCAPACITATING VICES." 283 



remove the quadruped from the shafts. Go to the head : speak sooth- 

 ingly; pat and caress the agitated frame. Procure some cold water-, 

 soak a thick cloth in the liquid, and lay it over the brain and upon the 

 eyes. Sponge out the mouth and nostril; then empty the vessel, by 

 dashing the remaining fluid into the animal's face. When the incapaci- 

 tating stage is subsiding, have ready two powerful men, who, placed at 

 the head, shall prevent the disposition to bolt from being indulged. This 

 done, return the horse to the stable. Never hazard riding behind a 

 creature which has recently been afflicted with "equine epilepsy." 



Such an animal is best put out of its misery at once, as the attempted 

 remedy occupies too much time, is too expensive, and is far too uncer- 

 tain in its result, to be prudently adopted. However, should the horse 

 be young, it may be kept on prepared food for eighteen months — not 

 turned out to grass ; but stabled, properly exercised, and fed on the best, 

 in the hope that nature will, with maturity, banish the disease. Such 

 persons, however, as will drive a jibber, which merely exhibits a tardi- 

 ness at starting, should be particular never to have the coat singed or 

 clipped ; for cold, acting upon the large surface of exposed integument, 

 is very likely to provoke an attack. The horse, when brought to the 

 door, should be briskly walked, and the journey, when commenced, should 

 never start off at a tearing pace; but should begin most gently, and 

 very gradually become more speedy. Such treatment, with carefully 

 prepared food, plenty of old beans, bran mashes for laxatives, and an 

 occasional tonic, is the best means the author knows of to render the 

 quadruped ultimately useful. 



The power of kindness is, perhaps, shown most strongly in the case 

 of the horse thus affected. The love of the creature for the individual 

 who is fond of it, is not well or truly characterized when spoken of as 

 affection : it is something more than such a general term can represent : 

 it amounts to positive devotion. Even when the fit is strongest, and all 

 ordinary sounds are lost to the animal's sense, the voice of the person 

 who has been constantly kind will evidently be responded to. His 

 caresses will soothe at a moment when the most potent pangs would be 

 powerless : his presence will restrain the wildness which naturally en- 

 sues upon the first dawn of reviving consciousness. Whereas he who is 

 habitually a careless or a harsh master, in whose hand whip and reins 

 are equally instruments of torture, may, only by his appearance, induce 

 the attack ; and his foot upon the vehicle is likely to generate the agita- 

 tion which shall assuredly bring on the disease. 



But the man who would win the love of his steed, and is fond of the 

 animal, should be a frequent visitor to its abode. That simple or nega- 

 tive quality which consists in the absence of actual cruelty, will answer 



