EPILEPSY 459 



followed by the subject falling to the ground or floor and 

 in convulsions of a clonic type. Generally every muscle is 

 involved, including the facial muscles. There is champing 

 of the jaws with salivation, the saliva being churned into 

 foam and often blood-stained due to injuries of the tongue 

 by the teeth. The visible mucous membranes are cyanotic; 

 the heart beat is full and strong, and the respirations sus- 

 pended. The convulsions last but a few seconds and 

 gradually become weaker and finally cease. The animal 

 lies quietly for a few minutes, then rises to its feet, staggers 

 and finally recovers. The attacks do not occur at regular 

 periods. The animal may have two or more in a day, or 

 there may be weeks or months between attacks. 



Diagnosis. It is difficult to differentiate between true 

 epilepsy and secondary or reflex epilepsy which is merely a 

 symptom of some other disease. A history of chronicity 

 and the rather long periods between the attacks point to 

 true epilepsy. Further, true epilepsy may be seen in both 

 old and young animals while secondary or reflex is usually 

 confined to the young. 



Prognosis. The prognosis is unfavorable, as true epilepsy 

 is considered incurable. 



Treatment. If treatment is undertaken, the bowels 

 should be kept open by feeding laxative food and, if neces- 

 sary, the administration of laxative drugs as cascara sagrada, 

 fluidextract (2.0-8.0), or sulphur (2.0-6.0) in the food as 

 required. 



The periods between the attacks may be lengthened by 

 the administration of bromides in full doses, the bromid of 

 sodium being preferable (0.5-4.0). 



Castration is said to have a beneficial action in some cases. 



Reflex or Secondary Epilepsy. This is seen as a symptom 

 of several diseases occurring in small animals and somewhat 

 resembles true epilepsy. 



Reflex or secondary epilepsy is sometimes seen in rickets, 

 inflammatory diseases of the digestive tract, some infesta- 

 tion with internal parasites, during the eruption of the 

 permanent teeth, in constipation, and frequently distemper, 

 especially the nervous form. 



It is seen chiefly in young animals, being quite rare in 



