STAGGERS. 181 



sprain cannot be cured without rest, no matter what 

 other remedies are employed ; and, if there be much 

 fever and excitement about the horse, a few doses of 

 aconite will have to be given. Tincture of aconite root, 

 fifteen drops, three times in the day for two days, will 

 remove fever and irritation. 



Then apply warm water cloths for three days, followed 

 by cold water cloths for the same length of time, taking the 

 cloths off at night, as it is necessary that water must be 

 poured on the cloths every hour, or before the warm ones be- 

 come cold, and the cold ones become warm. After which 

 time the lameness and swelling will have ceased, or whether 

 this be not the case, apply for a few days, once a day, 

 the following liniment : creosote, one ounce ; oil of tur- 

 pentine, one ounce ; oil of olives, two ounces ; mix. Be 

 assured the horse is quite well before he is put to work 

 again, as many joint-diseases are brought on by mis-man- 

 aged sprains, which never can be cured. For sprains of 

 different parts of the body, — (See Shoulder and Shoulder 

 Joint Sprains, etc.J 



Staggers- — A disease familiar to every horseman, 

 a serious disease, and presenting different symptoms in 

 different horses, depending to what extent the brain and 

 nervous centres are affected, and whether the variety be 

 mad, grass, stomach, or sleepy staggers. 



(1.) Stomach Staggers. — This is an attack of acute 

 indigestion, from overloading the stomach ; digestion is 

 arrested, fermentation is set up, and the evolution or 

 giving off of carbonic acids gas distending the stomach 

 and bowels, and pressing on the space alloted for the 

 lungs to play in, depriving them from aeriating the blood, 

 thereby affecting the healthy action of the brain and 



