64 SPECIAL EQUINE THERAPY 



into a lot. After three days of such exhibitions he again 

 became as normal and docile as he ever had been. 



Attacks of pseudo-hysteria persist, with intermissions 

 of quiet, for from one to three days. They are to be dif- 

 ferentiated from staggers, various forms of poisoning, 

 and rabies. The chief difference is that in staggers there 

 is lack of orientation. The hysterical gelding is fully 

 aware of what he wants to do, and he does whatever he 

 wants to do (or what his particular form of hysteria 

 makes him do) , methodically and persistently. The horse 

 with staggers of a violent type has apparently lost all 

 sense of direction and proportion. 



Poisoning, belladonna, hyoscin and cocain poisoning 

 are to be considered. 



Rabies can be excluded from the fact that there have 

 been no premonitory signs, and that the actions in the dis- 

 ease under discussion, although at times violent, are 

 methodical and apparently performed with a distinct 

 purpose. 



Treatment. If the patient's actions are of a violent 

 nature, he should be given his freedom in a lot or pasture. 

 Some cases respond satisfactorily to an eighth of a grain 

 hyoscyamin, hypodermically. Others improve rapidly 

 on small doses of atropin sulphate. Chloral hydrate and 

 bromides are of benefit in those of a violent form. A 

 drastic purge will check some cases with marvelous 

 rapidity. 



Prognosis. This is always favorable under treatment. 

 The duration of an attack can, with all propriety, be pre- 

 dicted as terminating under three days. The pathology'7 

 is unknown, or disputed. v 



