ABSCESS WITHIN THE BRAIN. 19 
excite it; for phrenitis is apt to return. Even recovery is not always 
to be wished for. The depletion, imperative for the cure, too often 
engenders the weakness which no care can eradicate; and the animal 
survives only to change from the willing servant into a troublesome 
valetudinarian. 
ABSCESS WITHIN THE BRAIN. 
This sad affection is invariably produced by external injury. A horse — 
runs away and comes in contact with some hard substance. The blow 
is of sufficient violence to fracture the strong cranium of the quadruped 
and to smash all that remains harnessed to the animal. Here we have 
a reason why man should establish more than a brutal mastery over the 
A HORSE DYING FROM ABSCESS WITHIN THE BRAIN. 
animal he possesses. The horse is the most timid of creatures. It, 
however, quickly learns to recognize the voice of its owner. In its vast 
affection, it soon trusts with confidence to the person who is kind to it. 
An occasional word thrown to a patient and willing servant, spoken 
softly to the animal which is putting forth all its strength for our pleas- 
ure, would not be cast away. When dread overpowers the horse and it 
begins to run at its topmost speed, do not pull the reins: the first check 
should be given by the voice. Speak cheerfully to a timid creature. If 
the first word produces no effect, repeat it. Watch the ears. If these 
are turned backward to catch the accents, talk encouragingly to the 
horse. The voice of one it loves will restore its confidence. The pace 
will slacken. Talk on, but always in a tone calculated to soothe dis- 
tress. Then gently touch the reins. The first gentle movement may 
not be responded to, but the second or the third will be; and the animal, 
released from terror, is once more under your control. 
This is much better than tugging and flogging, which obviously are 
thrown away upon a body that horror has deprived of sensation. The 
