GASTRIC IMPACTION 45 



local pain, but operates that kind of influence upon the 

 brain which gives rise to symptoms, not stomachic, but 

 cerebral ; hence the analogy between this disease and 

 *' staggers," and hence the appellation for it of " stomach 





staggers. 



It may be that the total absence of colicky pains has 

 led to the actual seat of mischief being overlooked, 

 and the symptoms proceeding therefrom arrogated to 

 some abnormal condition of the brain. It is not for me 

 to deny that certain conditions of the brain or its coverings 

 may give rise to symptoms simulating those aroused by 

 a gorged stomach. Nevertheless, I feel it is only right 

 to point out that in many cases a searching inquiry into 

 the history will plainly indicate that many of these 

 attacks have the origin of their sym.ptoms in an abnor- 

 mally gorged condition of the stomach. Unless we are 

 fully decided upon this point, our treatment of a particular 

 case is sure to be at fault. 



Causes. — Remembering the inability of the horse to 

 vomit, we shall not be surprised to find that excessive 

 cramming of the stomach after a long fast is a frequent 

 factor in determining this complaint. It is not, however, 

 so much the quantity of food that needs consideration as 

 its nature. A plentiful supply of succulent, easily-bolted 

 herbage is the one food that is extremely likely to bring 

 on an attack. It matters not whether the herbage be 

 rye-grass, clover, vetches, or ordinary mixed pasture, 

 this fact remains : An unlimited supply of tasty, suc- 

 culent provender will cause some animals to go on feeding 

 long after their actual wants are satisfied, and the result 

 is an impacted state of the stomach with a mass of food 

 it is unable, mostly mechanically, to deal with. 



Regarding what has been written concerning some 

 narcotic quality of over-ripe grasses (Dick), I am quite 



