12 
ON STAGGERS IN HORSES. 
% Mr, King, V. S., Stanmore. 
Messieurs Editors, 
If the accompanying short history of the disease called Stag¬ 
gers, which was drawn up under the view I at that time had of 
the complaint, and which then proved such a dreadful pest to 
the whole country (as far, however, as my knowledge extended ; 
though I was informed, at that time, that certain districts were 
free from it); if, I say, you think it worth notice, it is at your 
service. What has happened may happen again. You must 
especially take notice of the date, 1801. It appears from my 
memoranda, that the disease had been very prevalent at a former 
period, 1786-7; and then gradually seemed to be wearing away, 
until the year 1800, when it broke out with frightful severity 
about the middle of June, and its violence was unabated till the 
latter end of November, when it began to disappear again. 
According to my memoranda, the disease, in every succeeding 
year, became less and less frequent; and I can now say that I have 
not witnessed a single case of it for the last fifteen years. That 
certain disorders affecting the human as well as the animal con¬ 
stitution do disappear and return, from causes to us seemingly 
undiscoverable, is, I believe, pretty well established. In re¬ 
ferring to the date, I was not then acquainted with either Mr. 
Blaine’s or Mr. W hite’s publications. In referring to memoranda 
made in succeeding years, I am obliged to confess that many 
horses which were physicked as a preventive, occasionally fell 
under the complaint; but their recovery w^as in a great propor¬ 
tion in favour of the treatment. I have not set about any 
corrections or emendations^ hut sent it just as it was at the time 
indited by me^ which will account for some parts of the paper 
appearing like a repetition of this Preface. It was drawn out 
at the request of a worthy medical friend then residing at 
Rickmansworth {noio no more), without the slightest view to 
publicity. And now, if you send it before the profession, I shall 
only beg of its readers to receive it with all the courtesy they can 
possibly invest themselves with ; and remain. 
Messieurs, 
Your’s, &c. 
F. K. 
[We have great pleasure in placing this paper of our old and 
valued friend in the foremost ground in the first number of the 
