570 NERVOUS DISEASES. 



larged glands, inflammatory exudations, or extravasated blood. 

 Consequently, this paralysis sometimes follows influenza and other 

 diseases. A fall or severe blow on the head might damage their 

 point of origin in the brain. 



CHANCES OF RECOVERY.— The hopeful cases are those of 

 recent standing and when the paralysis is confined to the lips and 

 nostrils. 



TREATMENT consists in removal of pressure from the part; 

 warm fomentations; and, subsequently, biniodide of mercury 

 blisters (p. 620) below the root of the ear, and, partly, down the 

 cheek ; a dose of aloes ; and soft and laxative food, placed in a 

 bucket, so that the animal may easily eat it. Half an ounce of 

 iodide of potassium may be given daily in the drinking water, or 

 in a mash. The action of this salt is to cause absorption of any 

 exudation which may result from inflammation, and which may 

 bo the cause of pressure on the nerves of the part. 



Megrims, Staggers, and Epilepsy. 



The affection called in stable language, megrims, or staggers, 

 somewhat resembles apoplexy in its mode of invasion, and may 

 be due to many causes, among which, pressure of the collar, in 

 giving rise to congestion of the brain, appears to be the chief. 

 '^ There is the certainty that animals which have been subject to 

 attacks of megrims when working in the ordinary collars have 

 enjoyed perfect immunity from such seizures, when worked with 

 a strap or band across the breast. This is a fact recognised not 

 in this country only, but wherever horses are employed for draught " 

 (Robertson). In the large majority of cases, it occurs only when 

 the horse is at work in draught. In some rare instances, the 

 attack is due to brain disease, and will then, more or less, resemble 

 epilepsy, which comes on, at fairly regular intervals of time, with 

 little or no warning, and is accompanied by convulsions and loss 

 of consciousness. The term megrims, in human medicine, signi- 

 fies a form of headache which appears in paroxysms. 



SYMPTOMS. — The attack commences suddenly. The horse 

 throws his head about; stops, if previously in movement; staggers, 

 and even falls. There is marked fulness of blood in the head ; 

 quickened bre'athing; and, often, loss of consciousness and 

 convulsions. 



The TREATMENT is self-suggestive — if the seizure be brought 

 on by the pressure of the collar — to remove the offending gear ; 



