SYNCOPE. 553 



excited or perverted nerve-power, probably more discrimina- 

 tion is needful than in some of the others. They generally 

 appear suddenly as a rather serious matter, and are often taken 

 for functional disturbance of an entirely different character. 

 They are most successfully combated by rest with perfect 

 quietude, and a moderate amount of opening medicine, followed 

 by the exhibition twice daily of a ball containing twenty grains 

 each of powdered digitalis, extract of belladonna and opium. 

 Where the palpitation is excessive, dilute prussic acid half a 

 drachm, or Fleming's tincture of aconite five or ten minims, 

 the former given in cold water, and the latter in bolus, every 

 two hours until the excessive cardiac action and excitement 

 has been subdued, will probably be more effectual. The rest 

 and quietude ought to be continued not merely while the 

 disease or disturbance is under treatment, but for some time 

 afterwards, so as to avoid a recurrence of the seizures which 

 we have seen occur when put to work too hastily. Palpita- 

 tion arising from change of pulmonary or cardiac structures 

 must not be treated apart from a consideration of the lesions 

 upon which it is believed to depend. 



II. SY^x'OPE — Fainting. 



This condition, which is essentially and primarily dependent 

 on failure of the heart's action, followed by the effects of a 

 defective supply of blood to the nervous centres and arrested 

 pulmonar}^ action, is rarely encountered in the horse. I have 

 only seen it in a few instances — (a) As the result of uterine 

 hiemorrhage ; (6) Accompanying rapid abstraction of blood in 

 certain cases from the jugular vein ; (c) Upon the entrance of 

 air into the circulation in blood-letting. 



The treatment consists in the employment of diffusible 

 stimulants, dashing cold water over the head, application of 

 ammonia to the nostrils, friction to the surface of the body, and 

 in some cases an attempt, as in man, might be made, by 

 pressure upon the large vessels of the neck, to confine the blood 

 to the central parts. 



