Megrims

Megrims and Vertigo are the terms usually applied when a horse at work reels, and then either stands for a minute dull and stupid, or falls to the ground, lying for a time partially insensible. These attacks come on suddenly, are often periodical, and are most frequent during hot weather and when the animal is drawing up a hill, or exposed during heavy work to the full rays of a hot sun. Liability to megrims constitutes unsoundness, and usually depends upon the circulation through the brain being temporarily disturbed by the presence of tumours, or by weakness of the heart's action. Horses subject to megrims are always dangerous; if driven at all, they should be used with a breast- plate or pipe-collar, so as to prevent, as much as possible, pressure on the veins carrying the blood from the head; they should be moderately and carefully fed, and during hot weather have an occasional laxative.