46 



MEGRIMS. 



Megrims or epilepsy is tlie result of pressure on the brain. The 

 early symptoms gi-adually present themselves. The horse goes oif 

 his feed, stands with his chin resting on the manger, and staggers 

 slightly in his gait ; these subside only to assume on a future 

 occasion a more decided type, when the animal leans against the 

 stall and falls if an attempt be made to move him ; he sleeps or 

 stands seemingly unconscious of surrounding objects ; pulls from 

 his rack a lock of hay, half masticates it, and drops it from his 

 mouth; when attempting to drink he is unable to swallow, and 

 the water is ejected from the nostrils. 



The above signs of megrims are noticeable in the stable, but, if 

 such an animal be driven in harness, then symptoms of a most 

 aggravated type speedily occur. The muscles of the head begin to 

 twitch, convulsions supervene, when the horse falls unconsciously 

 forward. 



Megrims is sometimes caused by congestion of the brain resulting 

 from a plethoric state of system. This state may be produced by 

 over-feeding and by not giving sufficient work, or it may be 

 obtained physically, by pressure of the collar at the root of the 

 neck. It does not confine its attacks to over-conditioned horses, but 

 is common to lean and hard-w^orked ones. Where such is the case 

 we find that it is the result of pressure on the brain, caused either 

 by tumours or by an impervious state of the jugular vein, or some 

 important bloodvessel. Megrims the result of these last-named 

 causes is incurable. 



Free bleeding and purging, with turpentine clysters, will be 

 required, and will generally afford relief ; if, however, the horse con- 

 tinues drowsy after their action, the head should be blistered, and 

 a rowel inserted under the jaw, together with the internal use of 

 nitre, tartar emetic, and digitalis, in doses of one ounce of the 

 first and a drachm of the two last every four hours. 



f 



MUD FEVER. 



The worst effects always arise when the mud is left to become 

 dry on the skin ; therefore great care should be taken to wash the 

 mud off the legs and the belly as quickly as possible. This may be 

 done roughly by riding the horse through a pond ; but it is better to 

 have a more complete cleansing with soft soap and water, followed 

 by the free application of a wisp of dry straw. Should there be no 

 possibility of doing anything until the animal reaches his stable, 



