DISEASES AND ACCIDENTS 69 



temporary relief in most cases, but in more severe 

 ones the patient should first be bled, and then given a 

 mild purgative, being kept very quiet for a few days. 

 Megrims is a somewhat similar ailment to staggers, 

 but of a far less serious nature, harness horses with 

 tight-fitting collars being the most common victims. 

 The animal attacked will stop suddenly and shake 

 his head; then perhaps he will stagger a little or 

 run backwards, sometimes falling and generally 

 breaking out into a sweat. The harness and collar 

 should be loosened, and the sooner he is taken 

 home for rest and quiet the better; after this the 

 horse will probably quite recover. 



Vertigo is very similar to megrims, but it some- 

 times attacks the animal in the stable as well as out 

 of doors, and is usually cured by a liberal diet and 

 quiet. 



Yew-poisoning. Occasionally when horses are 

 turned out they will find yew and eat it. The 

 poison usually affects its victim rapidly, the chief 

 symptom being extreme drowsiness and a disin- 

 clination to move. A pint of warm castor oil, in 

 which one ounce of aromatic spirits of ammonia and 

 some whisky have been mixed, should be administered 

 promptly and repeated several times, whilst the 

 animal should be compelled to move about. 



Congestion of the liver is usually the result of a 

 chill and should be attended to by a professional 

 man. The symptoms are lethargy, a coldness of 

 the body, and dark-coloured water and dung. A 

 mustard poultice over the liver often brings relief, 

 and a mild purge may be administered before the 

 veterinary surgeon arrives, unless he is close at hand. 

 Warts may usually be treated on their first 

 appearance by a dressing of chloride of ammonia 

 one part, powdered savin two parts, and vaseline 

 sufficient to make a stiff paste. Excision by a 

 knife is best left to a professional man. 



