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LETTER TO THE EDITORS ON EPILEPSY AN1) 
OTHER SEIZURES IN THE HORSE. 
Ry “ Humanitas.” 
Sirs, —A short time ago, I witnessed the sudden death of 
a horse, and as it appeared to me that the poor animal’s end 
was accelerated by the ignorant treatment of some of the per¬ 
sons who assembled, it may not be without some good re¬ 
sults if you will allow me through your columns to describe 
what I saw of the case, with some remarks and suggestions 
upon it. 
I was attracted to my window one morning, by a noise in 
the street like the clatter of a horse’s hoofs, and by some 
exclamations from passers by; and upon looking out I saw 
a very handsome saddle horse upon the ground kicking and 
apparently endeavouring to rise. I heard afterwards that the 
horse in falling had thrown the rider, who fortunately escaped 
unhurt. A groom was at a short distance mounted on a 
similar description of horse to that which had fallen, and a 
very handsome pair it was. 
A crowd of course soon collected, and the driver of a cab, 
who got off his box for the purpose, was very officious and 
loud in his directions to others to “sit on ’is ’ead” and “’old 
’im down” which common expedients may be all very well in 
the case of a horse having simply slipped down when in har¬ 
ness and there is a difficulty in keeping him quiet during the 
process of extricating him. The poor animal that 1 was 
watching, notwithstanding his efforts to rise, was so persist¬ 
ently held down by the half dozen strong men who sur¬ 
rounded him, that in a few minutes his struggles were at an 
end, and he troubled them no longer. If I had been on the 
spot I should have suggested a different course, but before I 
could send a message the poor animal was dead. 
The sudden ailment was doubtless an attack of vertigo , from 
the heat of the weather or over fatigue; and the question I 
wish to put concerning such a case is this, would it not be 
more in accordance with rational treatment to avoid inter¬ 
ference? It appeared to me that the fatal termination was 
accelerated by the force applied to check the struggles of the 
animal. 
I venture upon these remarks with great deference, not 
knowing whether they possess any scientific value, but if you 
consider that any practical advantage could result from greater 
