GASTIIITI3. 327 



*' The disease," says Professor Dick, " prevails almost entirely 

 where horses are fed on over-ripe rye grass, whether they are in 

 the stable or at grass. It occurs suddenly, and from the hind 

 limbs being partly paralysed, leads to the belief that the animal 

 has injured his spine. The symptoms are certainly very anala- 

 gous ; it appears to attack young and old horses indiscriminately. 

 I have seen it," continues the Professor, " in a one year old and 

 in a case where the horse was eighteen years old. Several 

 horses are generally attacked on the same farm ; and sometimes 

 all the horses in a steading are seized with it. Parm horses are 

 more liable to it than others ; but neither carriage nor saddle 

 horses are exempt." The above remarks are true with reference 

 to the cause of the disease when prevailing as an epizootic. It 

 may occur, however, in winter, especially in the sub-acute and 

 chronic forms. The eating of strong coarse hay, or chopped 

 straw, or clover hay, particularly if over ripe, and if the stalks 

 are thick and strong ; in fact, " wherever the woody fibre has a 

 considerable preponderance over the succulent and more easily 

 digested kinds of food," Stomach Staggers is very liable to 

 occur. 



Teeatment. — As soon as the disease commences, if practi- 

 cable, the animal should be placed in a roomy box, well provided 

 with straw; and where the light which enters the place can 

 be modified, if glaring or annoying. 



Should the violence of the patient be excessive, which i3 

 seldom the case, it it will be the best plan to secure the animal 

 with hobbles. 



The best remedies in general are — xiloes, Olive Oil, Nux 

 Vomica 1, Arsenicum 3, Euphorbium 3, Hot and Cold Water, 

 and Ice. 



