LETHARGY
.—The lethargy, or SLEEPING EVIL, as it is called by the lower class of rustics and farriers, is a drowsy kind of stupefaction, to which DRAFT HORSES are more particularly subject than any other; with whom it is considered a kind of prelude to the STAGGERS, which in general soon follow, if the cause is not speedily removed. A horse upon being attacked, closes his eyes, drops his head into the manger, suddenly recovers himself, and as gradually drops again; opens his eyes, as if surprized, picks a little hay, or corn, relapses with it in his mouth; and this is, perhaps, alternately repeated, till fixing his head in one corner of the stall, he seems to be deprived of both ACTION and ANIMATION, standing in a state of perfect insensibility. This prognostication (for in its first stage it can hardly be called a disease) denotes a struggle, in which the whole SYSTEM is affected; but where the struggle is dependent entirely upon the state of the circulation, which is become (from some remote cause) partially defective, and stands in need of such STIMULATIVE assistance, as may prove the means of constituting immediate REVULSION. Instantaneous BLEEDING, followed by much friction upon the body, as well as upon the extremities; warm glysters of gruel, in which a couple of sliced onions have been boiled; and to which a handful of common salt, and a gill of linseed oil, may be added; should be given and repeated in three or four hours. The pectoral cordial balls, impregnated with a drachm of myrrh, assafœtida, and ammoniacum, might be administered with advantage; all which not completing a cure within two or three days, BLISTERING largely behind the ears should not be neglected.