ible on pressure from the
fingers. Then apply the following to both the enlargement and the rasped
surface on the hoof: Red Iodide of Mercury, two drams; Pulv.
Cantharides, four drams. Mix well in two ounces of Lard and apply every
forty-eight hours until three applications have been applied.

If you must work the animal, put it to some easy work where it has soft
ground to walk upon.

STAGGERS

(Forage Poisoning--Inflammation of the Brain)

(Cerebral Meningitis)

CAUSE: Certain plants or stagnant water are most commonly instrumental
in producing staggers; frequently seen in the early autumn months when
the grass in the pastures becomes dry and certain forage remains green
which contains toxic principles. These plants are ravenously eaten by
horses on account of being green and tender. This is one of the common
causes of the disease, although mouldy, indigestible or highly
nitrogenous foods are frequently producers of staggers. This form of
staggers is not contagious, although what produces staggers in one horse
will also produce it in another. In this way several horses may become
affected with staggers at the same time. Inflammation of the brain may
occur as a complication of some infectious or digestive disease. Other
causes are blows to the head, tumors in or on the brain, which cause the
animal to naturally stagger, as the brain controls the horse's organs of
locomotion.

SYMPTOMS: Vary to a certain extent, but a careful observer will detect
some trouble connected with the nervous system, as the animal walking
unsteadily, stepping high and keeping the legs spread apart, bracing
itself to keep from falling. There is also great depression, as dullness
and sleepiness with little or no inclination to move about. The head may
be placed against a wall or fence and the legs kept moving as if the
horse were trying to walk. As the disease progresses and no attempts are
made to relieve it, they will become fractious, nervous, easily excited,
pawing and eventually fall, keeping the feet moving as if walking,
throwing their heads about in a delirious manner and eventually death
follows. The horse as a rule eats and drinks ravenously when the first
signs of staggers are noticed, but in its latter stages the tongue and
gullet become paralyzed and although the animal attempts to eat and
drink he cannot swallow. The pulse varies. It is strong, but subnormal
when the first symptoms of staggers are noticed, that is to say