HORSES. 143 



a few minutes' rist, he revives and goes on, but net so 

 well as before. Sometimes, without any warning, he 

 drops, lies a few minutes apparently insensible, then 

 starts up and goes on again. Or he drops and struggles 

 violently for a few minutes, then calmly rises and pro- 

 ceeds, though somewhat oppressed and weakened. Oc- 

 casionally he drops and dies at once. 



Prevention. Keep the horse in a good, healthy con- 

 dition, and give moderate exercise. Be careful and not 

 feed too high. 



Remedy. Give physic and fever drinks, with light 

 diuretics, and feed lightly. 



BIG HEAD. 



Young horses are more liable to this disease than older 

 ones. It does not seem to be contagious, yet when it is 

 in a large stock of horses, many are liable to be affected 

 before it can be eradicated. It is slow in its progress, 

 both in its effects on those attacked, and in attacking 

 others ; in this way, it will sometimes remain on a place 

 several years. Some say this disease is caused by blind 

 teeth, which should be removed. English writers do not 

 speak of this disease. It is unknown in the Northern 

 States. It prevails in the South, and in some sections 

 of the West. It is most prevalent in new countries, and 

 usually attacks horses that run at large and live in the 

 woods. 



Appearances after Death. The bones of the head, 

 particularly of the jaws, are heaved up and distended. 

 The bone at the surface appears solid and of the usual 

 consistence, but when broken open, the inner part is 

 distended and not compact, exhibiting the appearance 

 of dry honey-comb, or pumice-stone. The teeth also are 

 affected, and have the same unnatural distention and 

 want of solidity as the jaw bones. Some of the bones 

 in other parts of the system are affected. 



Symptoms. The first appearance of the disease is an ' 

 enlargement of the front of the head, between the eyes 

 and nostrils. This unnatural bulk continues to increase, 

 with greater or less rapidit) , in different subjects. After 



