12 
MANUAL OF MODERN FARRIERY. 
assume a fixed, vacant, and wild stare, which is followed by 
complete delirium; he becomes furious, and dashes about 
in a violent manner from side to side, being quite unconscious 
of his actions. 
The mad staggers are considerably alike in their symptoms 
to rabies or common madness, and also to colic. In the 
former of these maladies, the horse retains his consciousness, 
and the violence of his actions will depend upon the peculiar 
character of the madness. In some instances a desire to be 
mischievous is manifested. In colic the horse rises and falls, 
although not in a violent manner; sometimes, however, he 
plunges; but in most cases he rolls himself about, and fre¬ 
quently looks towards his flanks with an evident expression 
of suffering pain. 
Causes. —This disease is caused by the animal being too 
fat, too full of blood, by the chyle having too strong a ten¬ 
dency to widen the vessels ; and especially when the horse 
is over-heated during warm weather. The fever produced 
thereby causes a determination of blood to the head, and thus 
terminating in what is generally denominated “ brain fevers” 
Remedy. —The treatment in this malady is at all times 
exceedingly uncertain. Profuse bleeding should first be 
resorted to by opening the jugular veins in both sides of the 
neck. The incision with the lancet should be large, as the 
more rapid the flow of blood, it is the more likely to prove 
beneficial in its effects. As much should be taken as will 
cause him to fall; or if he is down at the time, until he 
manifests evident signs of exhaustion. After this the follow¬ 
ing purgative should be administered :— 
Newly-powdered croton nut . . \ drachm, 
to be given in a drink of oatmeal and water. Every six 
hours thereafter doses of ten grains should be given, until the 
bowels are freely moved; to assist in which, injections ot 
