The management and treatment of the horse in the stable, field, and ...

i44 The Management and Treatment of the Hoi 'se }
there is no way to ascertain the quantity of blood taken,
nor can the degree of inflammation be satisfactorily
investigated, therefore it is only in cases of necessity that
it is to be applied, as it may not only occasion much pain
to the horse, but also a great deal of trouble to the opera-
tor.
The megrims is a very dangerous disease, not only to
the horse, but to the driver, and in many instances the
horse will die instantaneously, and frequently drop with-
out the slightest previous indication of illness. If a horse
has had one attack of this malady he is liable to a return
of it, and is never to be trusted afterwards, although
proper means have been adopted to prevent a recurrence
of it. The most prudent plan is to part with the animal.
STAGGERS OR APOPLEXY.
This disease, like sleepy or stomach staggers, is
caused by a deranged state of the digestive organs,
and this m too many instances is the result of over-feeding
and feeding with unwholesome food ; some persons are so
foolish as to suppose that the horse may eat as much grain
as it can consume, and that it will do no harm ;
this is a
serious mistake, for even without water the grain will
swell in the stomach, and being over-loaded indigestion
follows, the stomach being too much distended to allow it
to perform its natural office, hence the head is affected.
As in the animal economy a very intimate connexion exists
between the brain and the stomach, each reciprocally
influencing the other. The want of fresh air and
exercise with horses that are over well-fed also tend