5IO DOGS USED FOR SPORT. 



severely ; and the foam which issues from the mouth is reddened 

 by blood. It often happens too, that the urine and excrement are 

 expelled during the violence of the spasm. 



When the convulsive paroxysm is over, the animal appears 

 buried in deep sleep, and it might be supposed that this was the 

 result of exhaustion ; but there is something more than this ; the 

 animal passes into a state of incomplete coma, or rather the insen- 

 sibility continues. When he wakes, he appears dizzy and con- 

 fused ; by degrees, however, he resumes his ordinary appearance 

 and condition. 



As may be supposed, so much irregular contraction of the 

 muscles of voluntary motion is not likely to occur without some 

 derangement or modification of the functions of the circulation. 

 The breathing is irregular, gasping, or arrested. The heart pal- 

 pitates violently ; the pulse becomes frequent and feeble ; and 

 sometimes ceases to be tangible during the height of the fit, and 

 is to be felt again as the spasms subside. The inside of the lips 

 becomes blue and pallid, and the eyes blood-shot, the veins being 

 visibly distended. 



This is one form, the most severe and the most common, as 

 well as the best marked, in which an epileptic attack occurs. 



But there is a large class of cases in which the symptoms are 

 much more mild. There is very slight and transient, or even no 

 convulsion at all ; no signs of turgescence about the organs of the 

 face ; no foaming at the mouth ; no quivering of the eyes ; but a 

 sudden suspension of consciousness, a short period of insensibility, 

 a fixed gaze, a totter perhaps, a look of confusion or wonderment 

 but the animal does not fall. This is momentary ; consciousness 

 quickly returns ; the dog resumes the action in which he has been 

 previously engaged, and is ofttimes not aware that he has been 

 interrupted. This constitutes the mildest form of the disease. 



Between the two extremes there are many links of gradation ; 

 but they are all epilepsy. 



On discovering this disease in your animal, no matter how 

 slight the attack, if not at home take him there ; and at once cast 

 about for the cause. If you are convinced it arises from any of 

 the ordinary diseases, treat them. Whatever you do, at once 

 evacuate the bowels, and keep them slightly lax, and begin a bland 



