220 DISEASES OF THE HOESE. 



Pathology. — Sunstroke, virtually active congestion of the brain, 

 often accompanied with effusion and blood extravasation, character- 

 izes this condition, with often rapid and fatal lowering of all the vital 

 functions. In many instances the death may be due to the complete 

 stagnation in the circulation of the brain, inducing anemia, or want 

 of nourishment of that organ. In other cases it may be directly due 

 to the excessive compression of the nerve matter controlling the 

 heart's action, and cause paralysis of that organ. There are also 

 changes in the composition of the blood. 



Treatment. — The animal should be placed in shaded surroundings. 

 Under no circumstances is bloodletting permissible in sunstroke. 

 Ice or very cold water should be applied to the head and along 

 the spine, and half an ounce of carbonate of anunonia or 6 ounces 

 of whisky should be given in 1 pint of water. Cold water may 

 be used as an enema and should also be showered upon the body of 

 the horse from the hose or otherwise. This should be continued until 

 the temperature is dow^n to 103° F. Brisk friction of the limbs 

 and the application of spirits of camphor often yields good results. 

 The administration of the stimulants should be repeated in one hour 

 if the pulse has not become stronger and slower. In either case, 

 when reaction has occurred, preparations of iron and general tonics 

 may be given during convalescence : Sulphate of iron, 1 dram ; 

 gentian, 3 drams; red cinchona bark, 2 drams; mix and give in feed 

 morning and evening. 



Prevention. — In very hot weather horses should have wet sponges 

 or light sunshades on the head when at work, or the head may be 

 sponged with cold water as many times a day as possible. Proper 

 attention should be given to feeding and watering, never in excess. 

 During the warm months all stables should be cool and well ven- 

 tilated, and if an animal is debilitated from exhaustive work or 

 disease it should receive such treatment as will tend to build up the 

 system. Horses should be permitted to drink as much water as they 

 want w^hile they are at work during hot weather. 



An animal wiiich has been affected with sunstroke is very liable 

 to have subsequent attacks when exposed to the necessary exciting 

 causes. 



APOPLEXY OR CEREBRAL HEMORRHAGE. 



Apoplexy is often confounded with cerebral congestion, but true 

 apoplexy always consists in rupture of cerebral blood vessels, with 

 blood extravasation and formation of blood clot. 



Causes. — Two causes are involved in the production of apoplexy, 

 the predisposing and the exciting. The predisposing cause is degen- 

 eration, or disease which weakens the blood vessel ; the exciting cause 

 is any one which tends to induce cerebral congestion. 



