Symptom.—Gradual heightening of the hind heel.
Treatment.—The only possible relief is afforded by an operation—"division of the tendons."
STAGGERS.
Sleepy Staggers and Mad Staggers are only different stages of the same disorder.
Cause.—Over-gorging.
Symptoms.—Excessive thirst; dullness or sleepiness; snoring; pressing the head against a wall. Some animals perish in this state; others commence trotting without taking the head from the wall, and such generally die, but sometimes recover. Other horses quit the sleepy state; the eyes brighten; the breath becomes quick. Such animals exhibit the greatest possible violence, but without the slightest desire for mischief.
Treatment.—Allow no water. Give a quart of oil. Six hours afterward give another quart of oil, with twenty drops of croton oil in it, should no improvement be noticed. In another six hours, no amendment being exhibited, give another quart of oil, with thirty drops of croton oil in it. After a further six hours, repeat the first dose, and administer the succeeding doses, at the intervals already stated, until the appearance changing indicates that the body has been relieved.
For the full development of the mad stage no remedies are of the slightest avail.
STRAIN OF THE FLEXOR TENDONS.