418 STAGGERS, ITS VARIETIES. [BOOK II. 



STAGGERS, APOPLEXY, MEGRIMS, 

 VERTIGO, FITS. 



Staggers is the common or vulgar name given to 

 all those disorders of the head which consist in 

 vertigo or " swimming of the head." Drowsiness 

 attending this symptom confers the distinction of 

 sleepy staggers upon this kind of attack, whilst 

 mad staggers is that affection of the brain which 

 causes the animal to kick, to tumble, and plunge 

 about : both are occasioned by diseased stomach, 

 brought on by inflammation of that organ, or simply 

 by the retention of a great mass of indigestible 

 food there and in the intestines : constipation at- 

 tends every species of staggers, and in some cases 

 the hardened dung may be felt or observed by ap- 

 plying the senses to the proper parts. The breath 

 is offensive, the respiration impeded, and the pulse 

 high and sharp in mad staggers, whilst in the 

 sleepy it is slow, heavy, and full, without vibration 

 (seepage 179). When these latter symptoms con- 

 tinue a long time, the blood determines towards the 

 head, and the pulse increases, if the animal be one 

 in good condition ; and, unless bleeding and purg- 

 ing be employed effectually, sooner or later ends in 

 apoplexy, or a fit of one paroxysm only, that ter- 

 minates fatally. High bred cattle, stallions, and 

 brood mares, which are pampered in their food with 

 stimulants, frequently fall victims to this kind of 

 attack, as do their progeny whilst under training, 

 sometimes. In some cases the animal makes one 



