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MEGRIMS. 
By Samuel Baker, M.R.C.V.S, Chelmsford. 
To the Editor of“ The Veterinarian .’ 
Sir, — O n reading a letter in your last publication, by Mr. James 
Broad, V.S., of Market-street, Paddington, on the subject of 
Megrims, I wish to offer a few observations, deduced from cases 
coming directly under my practical knowledge. Mr. Broad seems 
to think Megrims arises from pressure on the jugular vein from 
the collar ; also he admits the bearing-rein sometimes to be the 
cause. I have been in practice thirty years, and have taken some 
little pains to ascertain the cause whence it arises. On examining 
the horse’s eye immediately after or during the attack, I have 
found it exceedingly convulsed, and acted upon very strongly by 
spasmodic affection of the muscles ; a symptom, in my opinion, that 
would not have been present if the disease arose from distention 
of the arterial vessels of the brain. I have never seen a saddle 
horse affected with this complaint ; but all the cases that I have 
seen have occurred when the sun has been shining bright, or by 
moonlight, when the snow has been upon the ground. 
I will now give you my opinion respecting the cause. I had 
a very quiet favourite pony of my own subject to megrims. I 
directed my servant to remove the winkers from the bridle : he 
did so. The pony became frightened in consequence for a short 
time, but ultimately did not care about it. I continued driving 
him without winkers, and he never shewed the slightest symptom 
of megrims after. It directly occurred to me, that the reflection 
of the sun upon the winkers, falling directly on the optic nerve, 
was the cause of this extraordinary complaint. I have had many 
patients with megrims. I have directly ordered that the winkers 
be removed, or, if they were not, to have the horse’s eyes shaded by 
a piece of leather three or four inches wide, extending in front 
from one winker to the other. In every case it has proved suc- 
cessful. I have never seen a case where it did not fully answer 
the purpose. Lastly, I feel quite satisfied, from the symptoms I 
have observed of megrims, that the brain cannot be the seat of 
the disease ; for if that were the case, would the horse recover so 
soon! I may almost say, in some cases, momentarily. 
You may rest assured, as I have before stated, that the eye is 
the part affected ; and that the rays of the sun is the cause. 
I remain, your’s obediently. 
P.S. Should you think these remarks worthy of notice, shall 
feel obliged by your inserting them in your valuable Publication. 
