406 ILLUSTRATED STOCK DOCTOR. 



The bowels having been opened, give two or three times a day, the fol- 

 lowin<y compound, the effect of which is to decrease the action of the 

 heart and prevent the tendency of the blood to the head, as also to pro- 

 mote the activity of the urinary organs : 



No. 148. 1 Drachm digitaliB, 



1 a Drachm tartar emetic, 

 3 Drachms niter. 



Keep him in a cool, airy stall, and feed with the greatest moderation, 

 giving such green and moist food as has a laxative tendency, and such 

 quantity only, for a few days, as will prevent gnawing hunger. 



But if the paroxysm has already come on when remedial means are to 

 be adopted, seize the first opportunity, during an interval of stupor, or 

 of comparative stillness, to bleed him till he falls, or, if down, till he 

 grows faint and weak. Open the vein on both sides of the neck, if pos- 

 sible, as the quickness with which the blood is drawn away from the 

 brain is of almost as much consequence as the quantity. The operator 

 must observe great caution, as the fury may return suddenly and with 

 much danger to himself. 



If successful in bleeding, the next step to take is to purge in the least 

 possible time. To affect this, use half a drachm of croton meal. Some- 

 times the horse will drink readily and freely, in which case the meal can 

 be well stirred in water and given in that way ; but if necessary, pour it 

 down him according to directions for drenching. If the meal of croton 

 cannot be had instantly, give an ounce of aloes dissolved in hot water. If 

 this does not act within four hours, give a quarter of an ounce more, and 

 so continue till purging is produced. The next step is to give as a seda- 

 tive the digitalis or powdered foxglove, etc., as previously directed. It 

 may be necessary to back-rake and then give a clyster of warm soap-suds. 



All this will of course leave the creature in a dreadfully depleted and 

 weak condition ; but the only hope of saving him lies in the use of power- 

 ful means, especially when delirium has already set in. It may not be 

 possible in every case to bring him back to fullness of life and usefulness, 

 even with the best of care. At all events, he must be treated gently 

 thereafter, and guarded from excitement, as the attack is otherwise likely 

 to recur. 



m. Blind Staggers. 



Causes. — This disorder, by some called megrims, by others vertigo, 

 and still by others dizziness, is not well understood ; and there is a diffi- 

 OAilty in determining whether some of the forms it assumes ought not to 

 be set down as separate diseases. The causes, however, that will produce 



