MAD STAGGERS— EPILEPSY. 375 



CHAPTER XXIII. 



DISEASES OP THE NERVOUS SYSTEM. 



Phrenitis, or Mad Staggers — Epilepsy and Convulsions — Megrims 

 — Rabies, Hydrophobia, or Madness — Tetanus, or Lock-jaw — 

 Apoplexy and Paralysis — String Halt — Coup de Soleil, or Sun 

 stroke. 



PHRENITIS, OR MAD STAGGERS. 



Phrenitis seldom occurs, except in over-fed and lightly-worked 

 horses, nor among them is it by any means a common dis- 

 ease. The early symptoms are generally those of an ordinary 

 cold ; there is heaviness of the eyes, with a redness of the con- 

 junctiva, and want of appetite. After a day or two occupied by 

 these premonitory signs, which will seldom serve to put even the 

 most experienced observer on his guard, the horse becomes sud- 

 denly delirious, attempting to bite and strike every one who comes 

 near him, regardless of the ordinary influences of love and fear. 

 He plunges in his stall, attempts to get free from his halter rein, and 

 very often succeeds in doing so, when he will stop at nothing to 

 gain still further liberty. If unchecked he soon dashes himself to 

 pieces, and death puts an end to his struggles. The only treat- 

 ment which is of the slightest use is bleeding till the horse abso- 

 lutely falls, or till he becomes quite quiet and tractable, if the case 

 is only a mild one. Immediately afterwards a large dose of tartar 

 emetic (two or three drachms) should be given, followed in an 

 hour or two by a strong physio ball ; or, if the case is a very bad 

 one, by a drench, containing half a pint of castor oil and six or 

 eight drops of croton oil. Clysters and back -raking will of course 

 be required, to obviate the risk of hard accumulations in the 

 bowels, but where there is great violence, they cannot always be 

 employed and the case must take its chance in these respects. 

 The diet should be confined to a few mouthfuls of hay or grass, 

 with a plentiful supply of water.* 



EPILEPSY AND CONVULSIONS. 



These diseases, or symptoms of disease, are not often met 

 with in the adult, but in the foal they sometimes occur, and are 

 not unattended with danger. The young thing will perhaps gallop 

 after its dam round and round its paddock, and then all at once stop, 



* No treatment, however well directed, will be of any use. The better 

 way will be to shoot the horse at once, before he lias a chance of destroying 

 the stable and other property within his reach. — Editor. 



