258 The Care of Animals 



especially designed for this purpose. Spreading the 

 food out thin in a manger or on the floor will usually 

 prevent choking. 



STOMACH STAGGERS 



This disease occurs in horses. It appears to be a 

 congestion of the brain, due to an engorged stomach 

 and active exercise. The stomach, distended with food, 

 presses on the diaphragm, or "midriff," to such an 

 extent that when the animal is exercised the action of 

 the lungs and heart is interfered with, the brain be- 

 comes congested, and the animal partially or completely 

 loses consciousness. Some horses are subject to fre- 

 quent attacks of this disease; such animals are usually 

 greedy feeders. 



The attack usually occurs soon after feeding. The 

 horse, on being driven or otherwise exercised violentlj^ 

 becomes distressed for breath and perspires freely. 

 There is an anxious expression on his countenance. 

 He is unwilling or unable to go, even when urged. 

 When forced to move, he goes with a staggering gait, 

 and stands with his legs braced; sometimes he falls and 

 is unable to rise. 



Make the horse as comfortable as possible ; loosen 

 the harness so it will not check the circulation of the 

 blood; if possible, turn his head toward the wind. 

 Blanket the horse warmly, and rub his legs briskly to 

 get the blood from the heart and lungs toward the 

 outside of the body. Cold water dashed on the head 

 is good. Two ounces of essence of Jamaica ginger in 



