SUPPOSED CASES OF EPILEPSY IN HORSES. 
671 
concerned can best tell him with what charity he has acted towards 
his fellow man. I deemed it an important case, and as such have 
laid it before your readers simply as it is. I did all that my mind 
suggested as most likely to mitigate pain and check the progress 
of the malady. These all failing, humanity bade me end lingering 
and hopeless torture : if I erred it was my failing and not my fault. 
SUPPOSED CASES OF EPILEPSY IN HORSES. 
By W. Cox, M.R.C.V.S., Ashbourne. 
Medical men extensively engaged in practice are sure to meet 
occasionally with cases of more than ordinary interest, assuming 
types and complications very interesting to the scientific inquirer. 
The following case is full of interest to the parties concerned, 
and perhaps it may not be altogether devoid of it to your readers. 
On the 11th of May last, Mrs. Beeson, of Hollington, had a 
mare taken ill, with what was considered to be an attack of gripes ; 
and some ol. tereb. was administered. No relief being obtained, 
Mr. Pakeman, Y.S., of Sutton, was sent for. This gentleman 
considered it a case of constipation, and treated it as such, giving 
purging medicine, clysters, &c. : she was likewise bled. Mr. 
Pakeman being exceedingly busy at the time, he requested Mrs. 
Beeson to send for me, that the mare might not be neglected. I 
arrived early on the 12th. 
Symptoms .—When I first entered the stable I found her down, 
lying in the natural position, apparently free from pain. The pulse 
was 42 per minute, and regular. The skin, ears, legs, &c., were 
of a natural temperature. The membranes were injected. The 
breathing was tranquil. After standing and watching her for at 
least ten minutes, I raised her, when she stood another ten minutes, 
apparently free from pain. 
Mr. Pakeman having by this time arrived, we offered her some 
hay, which she ate with avidity; after which she drank a gallon 
of warm gruel, and began again eating hay. We left her, both 
believing she was convalescent. No sooner, however, had we left 
the stable-door, when, hearing a noise, we returned, and found the 
mare down, and dying; and in less than three minutes she was 
dead. 
My first impression was, that she had fallen with her head 
against the wall; but this was not the case, as she was seen to have 
fallen by several struggles. 
