Chap. XVII. Of the Falling EviU ^z. 6i 



CHAP. XVII. 



Of the Fall'mg Evil and Convulfions, 



"~p H E Fallhg Evil J is that which, in the Phyfidam 

 •*■ Terms, comes under the Denomination of an Epi^ 

 lepfy, and fcems to be no other than an Apoplexy or 

 Vertigo^ accompanied with Convuljions, either as the Caufe 

 or Effed. 



In the Falling Evil, a Horfe drops down of a fudden, 

 his Teeth and his Eyes become fix'd, but his Head and 

 Body is fhook and extremely agitated ; Froth bubbles out 

 of his Mouth, his Flanks heave and labour, and fometimes 

 there is an involuntary Excretion of the Dung and Urine : 

 All which arife from an involuntary and diforderly Mo- 

 tion of the Blood and animal Spirits, rufliing with greater 

 Impetuofity into a Mufcle on one Side, than that which is 

 its Antagonift, fo as to occafion a Vellication and Contrac- 

 tion of that Mufcle; and becaufe there is not an equal 

 Quantity of Blood and Spirits detach'd into the oppolite 

 Mufcle, therefore that Member cannot be extended as well 

 as contrafted, but drawn one Way, and the Part affected 

 will continue immoveable, excepting in thofe violent 

 Shocks and Agitations. 



The Caufe of Convulfions are, -F/r/?, I'l^e Caufe of 

 whatever waftes and exhaufts the Body, or Con'vulfions. 

 any of its Parts, as the taking away too much Blood, violent 

 Purging, or hard Labour, long Sicknefs. Secondly^ What- 

 ever fills the Body too much, and gives Origin to Obftruc- 

 tions in the Blood- vefiels or Nerves, or brings a Debility 

 and Weaknefs into the Stomach : And Laflly^ Wounds, or 

 whatever elfe caufes Pain and Inflammation. 



As to the Cure, it is the fame with that of an Apoplexy 

 ox Vertigo -y only this general Rule is to be obferved, that 

 when it proceeds from Loofenefs, Evacuations by Bleeding 

 and Purging are to be laid afide, excepting where feme Cir- 

 cumftances may make a moderate Ufe of them neceflary : 

 But as our Britijh Horfes are feldom troubled with thefe 

 Diforders, excepting when they are occafioned by Wounds, 

 or other things inducing exquifite Pain and Vellications in 

 the more fenlible Parts ; and becaufe thefe will be taken 

 Notice of in their proper Places, we (hall therefore omit 

 faying any thing tarther about them here. 



CHAP, 



