146 SPASM OF THE DIAPHRAGM. 
dismount; the loins be covered with the gentleman’s coat, if nothing 
better be at hand; he who has caused the misery is bound to make any 
sacrifice for its alleviation. The girths should be loosened, the bridle 
removed, and when time has passed for the system to become slightly 
tranquilized, the sufferer should be very gently led to the nearest shelter. 
So soon as it is under cover, the following drink should be administered, 
but time should be taken to give the medicine, as the condition of the 
horse forbids all haste :— 
Sulphuricether . . . . . . ss. «. . « Two ounces. 
Tincture of camphor . . . . . . . . . Walf an ounce. 
Tincture of cpium . . ... . . . . . One ounce. 
Cold water or gruel . . . . . . . . . . One pint. 
This should be repeated every quarter of an hour, till four drinks are 
swallowed; then the intervals should be lengthened to half an hour, 
and, as the symptom decreases, the medicine ought to be administered 
at still longer periods, and ultimately, but gradually, withdrawn. 
There are, however, other things to be done. When the animal is 
first brought in, procure five quiet assistants; give a leg-bandage each 
to four of the helpers, and a sponge, with a basin of cold water, to the 
fifth. Order the men to perform their ministration silently; the four are 
to bandage the four legs while the fifth sponges out the mouth, nose, 
eyes, and anus; this done, the body is to be superficially cleaned. Sweat 
is to be removed and dirt taken off; the cars pulled, and the head made 
comfortable; the tail and mane having been previously combed, a hood 
and body clothing should be put on. 
All this should be well understood beforehand; while it is being 
accomplished not a word should be spoken; nothing is more soothing 
to an agitated system than perfect silence. Wet swabs should then be 
placed upon the feet, a pail of gruel suspended from the manger, and a 
man left to warn off all noisy strangers from the exterior of the build- 
ing; for during spasm from overexertion perfect quietude is quite as 
essential as medicine. 
Spasm of the diaphragm, if taken in time, is not generally fatal; and 
no man, however determined a “‘ Nimrod” he may be, is justified in pro- 
ceeding after having recognized so mysterious a warning. The sound 
before alluded to must emphatically inform him all is not right with the 
animal on which he is seated. It is folly to urge that the horse enjoys 
the chase as much as the rider; no life would, for its own pleasure, run 
itself to a spasmodic exhaustion. Old hunters may have left the field to 
follow the hounds; the animals, however, obey only the impulse of 
education, and did what they imagined would gratify their superiors. 
The horse is given as a servant to man; the creature is obedient to its 
