280 STABLE MANUAL AND HORSE DOCTOR 



is known also to stablemen by the names of '' sturdy " and 

 " turnsick." 



It frequently attacks horses during their work, particu- 

 larly in harness ; it is, however, now and then seen in hot 

 weather, in the stable or at grass. When it seizes a horse 

 in exercise he stops short, shakes his head, looks irresolute 

 and wandering ; in this state he remains for a few minutes, 

 and then proceeds as before. In more violent cases he falls 

 at once to the ground ; or first runs round, and then sinks 

 senseless; or the limbs may continue to move after con- 

 sciousness is lost, when the animal thus afiected becomes 

 very dangerous. In either case the whole system appears 

 agitated by strong convulsions. The horse may dung and 

 stale insensibl3^ He sometimes is violent, at others more 

 passive, but is equally unconscious to everything around. 

 After remaining so a longer or shorter period, his faculties 

 return, and he rises. It is frequently brought on by 

 mechanical causes which produce a momentary congestion 

 of the brain — as tight reining up, or the pressure of the 

 collar in ascending a hill, which obstructs the return of 

 blood from the head. It may also be occasioned by a 

 morbid pressure produced by constitutional causes. Such 

 are found in the plethoric, over-fed horse, particularly 

 when subjected to long confinement. 



The Treatment must be regulated by the cause. If it be 

 mechanical, remove it, or the aff'ection may become habitual. 

 If plethora be apparent, purge; or give a course of mercurial 

 alteratives, followed by relaxing medicines. It is said that 

 covering the skull with a wet cloth will prevent megrims 

 where the horse is subject to their recurrence. Of course, a 

 horse liable to megrims is most dangerous to drive or ride. 



PARALYSIS. 



Palsy of the whole muscular frame is very unusual in 

 the horse, except from actual pressure or irritation of the 

 sensorium by blows on the skull, by portions of bone forced 

 in, or by abscess in the brain. Sometimes it is constitution- 

 ally brought on by unknown agencies. Paralysis of one 

 side is of very rare occurrence. Paralysis of half the body, 

 most frequently of the hinder parts, is sufficiently common, 

 and is either primitive or secondary. 



The treatment of paralysis must, in a great degree, follow 



