/ 
ON STAGGERS. 273' 
differing in their nature, ultimately produce the same effect: and 
whether it proceeds from over-distended blood vessels, or external 
injury, the nervous energy is partially interrupted, or "'altogether 
suspended. 
Symptomatic, or stomach staggers, from distension of the sto¬ 
mach, although the ultimate consequences may be the samej re¬ 
quires a different mode of treatment. Let the cause, however, be 
what it may, such effects are produced on the brain as to prevent 
the neiwes from exercising their due influence. . 
Dr. Cullen believed that whatever interrupted the motion of the 
ner\nus power from the brain, or of the blood to it, was the proxi¬ 
mate cause of this disease. 
Phrenitis, or what is called mad staggers, I should consider 
merely as a consequence of a previous disease, and not a primary, 
affection. 
There is another malady nearly allied to apoplexy, which is 
that species of epilepsia teinied’ meagrims. The diagnosis of this 
will be in the suddenness of the attack, convulsions, -and the state 
of the pulse. 
Having made these prefatory remarks, I* proceed with the case, 
which comes under the head of plethora. You will perceive that 
in the use of purgatives, croton has been substituted for the more 
common one of aloes; and that for two important reasons—it acts 
more speedily, and clears the whole course of the intestines. It 
has been objected to from the danger of superpurgation. There 
is little fear of that in this disease; and in other cases it only re¬ 
quires discrimination in its use. 
June 23.—Admitted into the Royal Horse Infirmary, Woolwich, 
a bay horse, aged 7, with the following symptoms:—Stands in a 
state of somnolency, with his head hanging under the manger or, 
thrust against the comer of the box. The vessels of the tunica' 
conjunctiva loaded with blood; loss of appetite; pulse 40, and 
full; bowels torpid. " . ' ^ 
V. S. lb. viij. 
R Pulv. Croton. gr, x. 
Terebinth. Com. . , . . Jj. M. fiat bol. statim exbib. 
I 
^ Enemas, cum Muriat. Sodas, Sapone et aqu^. 
24th.—Somnolency and other symptoms still continue, although 
not to the extent of yesterday : bowels relieved. 
f 
R Croton sem.gr. v. 
Terebinth.3 v. P, Sem. Lini et Theriaca? 
q. s. fiat bol. statim exhib. 
Enemas to be repeated. 
Inf. Vesicat. to the legs, bowels, throat, and chest. 
2 I 
