292 The Diseases of Animals 



" DUMMIES " 



When hydrocephalus develops in adult horses, the 

 animals gradually lose their mental powers and are 

 commonly called "dummies." Such animals are often 

 traded off as soon as the owner suspects the difficulty. 



While standing, the horse seems to be asleep, rest- 

 ing the head on the manger ; the eyes are partially closed 

 and the legs often crossed, or one foot rests on the 

 opposite one. When eating, the horse appears to go 

 to sleep with the food in his mouth, and, in drinking, 

 usually plunges his head to the bottom of the trough, 

 withdrawing it only to get breath. In moving, the 

 horse lifts the feet high, and in backing drags them 

 along the ground. He comprehends but little, and it 

 is with difficulty that he can be made to work. 

 He may be subject to "fits " especially when exercised 

 violently. 



Good care and good food are needed, when treat- 

 ment is attempted. Iodide of potash in dram doses 

 may be given once daily for a few days, then withheld 

 for a week, then repeated. A "dummy" is of little 

 value, scarcely worth treating. 



TETANUS, OR "LOCK-JAW " 



This disease produces a contraction of some or all 

 of the voluntary muscles of the body, associated with 

 an excited condition of the nervous system. It occurs 

 in horses and mules, rarely in other animals. It also 

 attacks man. 



