VERTIGO (MEGRIMS). 35 



the day is hot — he is a little too full of flesh — he has 

 not been lately in full work — or he has been driven a 

 little faster than usual — or he wears a collar a little 

 too tight : all at once he begins to falter — he shakes 

 his head repeatedly — looks around him half uncon- 

 sciously, or perhaps stops short and trembles. If the 

 driver is aware of what is the matter, and will give 

 him a minute's rest, he will sometimes recover and go 

 on again, although not quite so freely as before. But 

 at other times, either without warning, or any warn- 

 ing that the driver has observed, he drops — he lies 

 for two, three, or five minutes apparently insensible, 

 and then scrambles up, and goes on again ; or he 

 falls, and violent struggles commence, which, how- 

 ever, in a few minutes subside. The horse gets up, 

 looks wildly about him, and continues his journey; 

 yet somewhat oppressed and exhausted : but he will 

 occasionally drop and suddenly expire. 



The method of giving present relief is simple and 

 effectual enough. The journey should be discon- 

 tinued, and the horse led to the nearest stable. If 

 that be impossible, the collar should be looked to and 

 the bearing-rein let down. A wet cloth should be 

 kept upon the head, and the pace should be more 

 moderate. Bleeding is not necessary ; it has been 

 largely tried, and has been proved to do no good. 



When the horse gets home he should be well 

 mashed, and, if he can be spared, a dose of physic 

 should be given. When the physic has set, some 

 alterative medicine may or may not be serviceable ; 

 but should any be given, a ball of the following 

 c6 



