MEGRIMS. 25 
sciences, where their own convenience and another’s exertions are the 
stake, generally possess an elastic property. It takes a great deal to 
stretch them to the utmost. An Arabian proverb says, “it is the last 
feather which breaks the camel’s back;” but the English driver knows 
the entire pull is upon the collar, and he is moved by no considerations 
about the back. If the whip cannot flog the poor flesh onward, a shout 
and a heavy kick under the belly may excite the spasm, which, in its 
severity, shall put the load in motion. 
Age does not influence the liability to megrims. The colt, which has 
done no work, may exhibit the disease, and the old stager may not be 
subject to its attacks. One horse may die in the field from exertion and 
never display the malady; another shall be led through the streets and 
exemplify megrims in all its severity. One shall be merely dull—the 
disorder shall never get to the acute stage, though the fits may be re- 
peated. This last, to the surprise of its master, shall every now and 
then stop, stare about, and proceed as though nothing were the matter. 
A second, when mounted, will be seized by a sudden impulse and run 
into shop doors; while a third, being between the shafts, will be pos- 
sessed with an irrepressible desire to inspect the driver’s boots. 
The horse often becomes suddenly stubborn. The reins are jagged 
and the whip plied to no purpose. The animal will only go its own 
way, which is commonly beset with danger. Perhaps, it may persist 
upon galloping, head foremost, down an open sewer; probably, it will 
tush up the steps leading to some ‘mansion, and beat the door in with 
tremendous knocking. 
Then come convulsions, followed by insensibility. If such a scene 
occur in a city, of course a crowd collects. Opinions are noisy and 
various; but a majority incline toward 
bleeding from the mouth. It is only to 
cut the palate, and a dozen knives, already 
opened, are proffered for the purpose. 
However, let the person in charge attend 
to no street suggestion. Let him at once 
seat himself upon the horse’s head, and re- 
main there till consciousness returns ; then 
speak kindly to the sufferer, loosen the har- 
ness, and take care that the animal is per- 
fectly recovered before it is permitted to 
rise. THE EXPRESSION CHARACTERISTIC OF 
Dealers pretend that a horse subject to REPEATED ATTACKS OF MEGRIMS. 
megrims is to be readily told. A horse, after repeated fits, is easily 
singled out; but the animal which has experienced only a single attack, 
