410 ILLUSTRATED STOCK DOCTOR. 



Iat("li, and see that all is right; pat and soothe him, and allow him to 

 stand for a few moments in quiet. Where it is found that the collar has 

 been pressing the neck veins see that it is altered without more ado — 

 cither by cutting or by pressing in against the breast on the lower part of 

 the collar a cloth of sufficient size to prevent its tightening upon the sides 

 of the neck. If he recovers sufficiently to be driven, allow him to move 

 at a Tery moderate pace ; if not, remove him from the vehicle and lead 

 him home. When there he must have rest and quiet, and care must be 

 taken, as previously directed, to bring him, by food and laxatives, into a 

 irood state as to stomach and bowels. 



When the attack is so violent that he rears, plunges, and falls, bleed 

 as soon as he becomes composed enough to allow it — taking from the 

 neck vein from three to six quarts, according to the violence of the fit, 

 and the weight, fullness, and fleshiness of the patient. During the first 

 paroxysms of his attack dash cold water over his head, if it can be had ; 

 and a wet sponge made fast between his ears will be found useful. 



From these violent attacks, entire recovery is doubtful, even though 

 he may not die outright ; but every chance of even a partial return to 

 health and usefulness is increased by rest. A horse once affected in this 

 way should really not be driven again, though apparently recovered, for 

 the fit is likely to recur, and the driver may himself be thereby seriously 

 endangered. 



The necessary steps as to feeding and care, and the administration of 

 laxative medicine have already been pointed out. 



IV. Apoplexy, or Sleepy Staggers. 



Causes. — The different stages of this disease are sometimes treated as 

 though they were two different types ; and we find even professed veter- 

 inarians, who ought to be more discriminating, so regarding them. 

 Ai)()plcxy is the term by M'hich alone it should be known — the state of 

 sleepiness and staggering being but premonitory symptoms, or rather the 

 earliest stage. 



The immediate cause of this disorder, as in blind staggers, megrims, 

 vertigo, giddiness, dizziness, or by what other name the disease previously 

 treated may be known, is undue pressure upon the brain, and their re- 

 mote causes are generally identical also — the difference in the diseases 

 being simply a difference in the modes of their manifestation. 



Pout mortein examinations of horses that have died of apoplexy, have 

 KufficicMitly indicated the cause. The vessels of the brain are found to bo 

 I'crulirly bloated or distended with black blood. Sometimes there may 

 be no inflammation of the membranes of the brain, but the stomach is 

 found loaded with undigested food or the intestines with foul matter. It 



