78 STAGGERS, CONVULSIONS, &d. 



Causes of the Epilepsy and Convulsions. 



manger; and often shews an inclination to eat, 

 but falls asleep with the food in his mouth. 

 This disease is commonly called (among the 

 country farriers) the sleeping staggers. 



The epilepsy and convulsions generally arise 

 from blows on the head, violent exercise, surfeits, 

 strains, and from a sympathy of the nerves ; for 

 violent pain in any part of the body will cause 

 convulsions, especially if the nerves and tendon- 

 ous parts be affected with wounds, punctures, and 

 bruises externally; or from botts and worms, vel- 

 licaiing and wounding the coats of the stomach ; 

 and sometimes it may proceed from a violent dis- 

 tention of the stomach, caused by a load of indi* 

 gested food or matter being too long retained, 

 which, in general, is attended with costiveness 

 throughout this disease. 



When the horse is violently affected with con- 

 vulsions, all the muscles of his body are seized at 

 once, and his jaws are so fast locked, that it i» 



