Fits of Various Kinds, 91 



diseases of calving, (Parturient Apoplexy). Epileptic fits 

 are also very uncommon either in horses or cattle, though 

 often seen in overfed pigs. The most usual form of the 

 disease will be described under Vertigo or Megrims. The 

 most practically important of this class of complaints is that 

 known in the horse as " Stringhalt.^' 



This name is given to a habit of suddenly jerking up the 

 hind limb when raised from the ground, and bringing it 

 down again with more than usual force. It may be shown 

 only when turning from side to side in the stall, or it may 

 also appear in walking or trotting. Sometimes it is confined 

 to one leg, sometimes it extends to both. Sometimes a horse 

 will go twenty or thirty steps before he shows the halt; 

 then all at once the leg will be suddenly lifted and brought 

 down again with a peculiar sudden jerk. 



There is no known cure for stringhalt, and it is pretty 

 certain to increase with age and work ; so that it constitutes 

 a radical unsoundness in a horse. Rest, cathartics and full ' 

 doses of belladonna will generally lessen it for a time, but 

 are of no permanent benefit. 



MEGRIMS, VERTIGO, GIDDINESS. 

 Definition. — A disease of the brain, characterized by tem- 

 porary loss of control of the muscles, loss of sensation, and 

 slight spasms of the muscles, but without inflammation. 



Causes. — Overwork in fat horses, tight or badly fitting 

 collars, exposure to the hot sun, constipation, hereditary ten- 

 dency, and local irritations, as worms, etc. 



Symptoms. — The animal when at work suddenly stops, 

 reels and trembles, perhaps falls to the ground and lies for a 

 few minutes partly insensible, then staggers to his feet, and 

 remains excitable and nervous for several hours or days. 

 There is no positive spasm, and the fits are liable to recui 

 with greater or less frequency. 



