DISEASES OF THE NERVOUS SYSTEM. 217 



If this treatment fails to «rivo relief, the disease will pass into the 

 advanced stages, or, if the animal has been neglected in the early 

 stages, the treatment must he supplanted with the hyi)odermic injec- 

 tion of ergotin. in ■)-grain doses, dissolved in 1 dram of water, every 

 six hours. The limbs may Ite poulticed above the fetlocks with mus- 

 tard. Warm blanketing, to promote perspiration, is to be observed 

 always when there is no excessive perspiration. 



If the disease l)ecomes chronic (encejihalitis or meningitis), we 

 must phice our reliance upon alteratives and tonics, with such inci- 

 dental treatment as special symptoms may demand. lodid of potas- 

 siiun in i?-dram doses should be given thiee times a day and 1 dram 

 of calomel once a day to induce absorption of effusions or thickened 

 membranes. Tonics, in the form of iodid of iron in 1-dram doses, to 

 which is added 2 drams of powdered hydrastis, may also be given 

 every six or eight hours, as soon as the active fever has abated. 

 After the disappearance of the acute symptoms, blisters (cantharides 

 ointment) may be applied behind the poll. AVhen paralytic effects 

 remain after the disappearance of all other symptoms, sulphate of 

 strychnia in 2-grain doses, in combination with the otlier tonics, may 

 be given twice a day and be continued until it produces muscular 

 twitching. In some cases of paralysis, as of the lips or throat, benefit 

 may be derived from the moderate use of the electric battery. Many 

 of the recoveries will, however, under the most active and early 

 treatment, be but partial, and in all cases the animals become pre- 

 disposed to subsequent attacks. A long time should be allowed to 

 jiass before the animal is exposed to severe work or great heat. 

 When the disease depends upon mechanical injuries, they have to be 

 treated and all causes of irritation to the brain removed. If it is 

 due to stable miasma, uremic poisoning, pyemia, influenza, rheuma- 

 tism, toxic agents, etc., they should receive prompt attention for their 

 removal or mitigation. 



Cerebral softening, abscess, and sclerosis are practically inacces- 

 sible to treatment, otherwise than such relief as may be afforded l)v 

 the administration of opiates and general tonics, and. in fact, the 

 diagnosis is largely prcsumjitive. 



CONGESTION OF THE BRAIN, OR MEGRIMS. 



Congestion of the l»rain consists in an accunnilation of blood in the 

 vessels, also called hyperemia, or engorgement. It may be active or 

 passive — active when there is an undue accumulation of blood or 

 diminished arterial resistance, and j^assive when it accumulates in 

 the vessels of the brain, owing to some obstacle to its return by the 

 veins. 



f'au.sci. — Active cerebral congestion may be from hypertrophy of 

 the left ventricle of the heart, excessive exertion, the influence of 



