The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1884-05-17
.ANSN Err.

There are many diseases of the brain
giving rise to symptoms somewhat SINH
lar to those of stomach staggerS, and
to diagnose just exactly what disease
your horse is affected with is impossible,
without much more minute description
CT the symptoms he presents than you
have given in your letter. However, as
You ask particularly for description of
stomach staggers,' will end ,avor to
describe that disease to you.
Stomdch Sjdggers is the most common
form of congestion of the brain and its
membranes, both in the horse and in
horned cattle. From some unexplained
cause, this disease sometimes RACES as an
enZootic, more especially SO when affect
ing cattle and sheep. 1t is known by
mauy names, such as sleepy staggers'
and grass staggcrs.
SymptomS-.At first the animal appears
duh and LstlesS, sometimes falling
asleep whilst standing: eats slowly and
at intervals: breathing slower than is Ia
turaI and it is always of somewhat snor-
ing character; pulse slow and weak,
sometimes full. These symptoms continue
until stupor (coma)sets in. If you force
the animal to walk, he staggers and
seems as if he would fall. 1t is on ac-
count of this symptom that the term
"staggers" is used The coma may con-
tinue Cor several days, and death may oc-
cur without the animal returning to SEN
sibiity. or else mad staggers may sue
ceed the coma, and the animal exhibit
the extreme Of violence. The coma is
due to an oppression upon some part ofthe
brain; and the delirium is due to an acute
Inflammation of some portion OF the
brain.
There is but one known cause for
"staggers,'' and that is overlooking. The
stomach being overloaded, and assimila-
ton of the food being consequently
tardy. the food accordingly becomes a
foreign body, and as such causes an irrl-
tation and congestion and an intlamma
ton of the lining mucous membrane of
the stomach. the brain sympathises
with the stomach, and the animal soon be-
comes acutely phrenetic. When sleepy
staggers and mad staggers appear to
gether (they being the two stages of the
one disease, stomach StaggerS) they pre-
sent very strange condition. The sleepy
tit is not entirely removed, nor are the
violent symptoms fully developed. Now
/ the strange condition referred to is, the
animal will stand with its head firmly
pressed against Il wall, with it's eyes
| half open (denoting the first or sleepy
stage) and at the time its limbs will be
moving necessarily as if trotting (denot
ing the deliriouS or second or mad stag
gers STAGE. The breathing is quickeued
and the animal will be covered with per
! spiration, brought on by the excitemen,
and the iucessant trotting exercise. The
| temperature in this disease is almos'
normal, until delirium sets in, aud as the
/ delirlum increases, so the temperature
rises: in some instances | have seen it as
high as 1876 degrees Fahrenheit.
! IrCatmeHt-Prevent having the disease
| by ,judiciouS feeding. at no time feeding
! the animal too much, because this dis
ease is produced most commonly 10y over
( feeding. Keep all water from the ami
NAL when you lind him suffering with thi:
! affection. and administer as soon as pro
| durable & drachms OF Pulverised Barba
| does alocS; exercise by walking for tel
| minutes, then place him in a box stall
with plenty OF bedding in il, let hin
/ loose. and he will find the most comfort
able and easy position for himself. with
out our compelling him to walk by the
| hour, as have seen some poor animals
compelled to do, despite the excruciatin:
pain they were suffering. Before the an
/ imal can get ease the supertluous amour
of food in the stomach must be forced
along the alimentary canal; it is for Thu
| purpose the purgative medicine is pre-
scribed. If there are no signs of relic
ten hours after the administration of the
above medicine, give half pint of lin
seed oil, with twenty (2O) drops of crotol
Oil. At the slightest mitigation of til,
symptoms, or even suspicion of amend
ment, stop giving all medicine at once
The altered aspect OF the animal is thu
earliest symptom that the distention o
the stomach is relieved. Have the ANNA
carefully bianketed and blndages applied
to the limbs. Give no food or drml
until he shows marked signs of improve
ment. II there is much excitement, giv
ten (loD drop doses of tincture of nu,
l., I