172 DISEASES OF THE NERVOUS SYSTEM. 



time after a severe "blow on the head it will he difficult, if not impossible, 

 to tell whether simple concussion or compression exists. If the first 

 symptoms disappear readily, and the animal seemingly having entirely 

 recovered afterwards becomes unconscious, it may he inferred that com- 

 pression has followed concussion. In the latter the pulse and hreathing is 

 weak and feeble, the body cold; in the former the breathing is heavy, 

 labored, and noisy; the pulse slow and full ; complete muscular paralysis 

 is not uncommon in this condition, but rare in concussion. 



Treatment.— Fractures demand surgical treatment, the same may be 

 said if it can he determined that pus has formed within the cranial cavity. 

 In other respects the treatment advised in apoplexy should be employed 

 in compression. 



&CUTE Meningitis. 



Acute inflammation of the membranes of the brain is an affection occa- 

 sionally seen among dogs, and deserves especial consideration from the 

 fact that there is presumptive evidence that many cases are taken for 

 rabies, from which in a certain stage it is not always easy to discriminate. 



Causation. — The usual causes are traumatic, cerebral concussion, inju- 

 ries acting directly upon the substance of the brain, intense cold, sunstroke, 

 great mental excitement, and the extension of inflammation from adja- 

 cent organs. The disease may take its origin in otitis; less frequently it 

 extends from the cavities of the eyes. Meningitis is sometimes developed 

 in connection with distemper, and may follow other constitutional dis- 

 eases. 



Symptoms.— The affection in rare instances comes on gradually but 

 more often the onset is abrupt. The first stage is one of active congestion, 

 and is characterized hy pain, delirium and maniacal excitement. It is 

 now that the disease is often taken for rabies. The "behavior becomes 

 changed, the voice altered, the. eyes are glistening and vacant in expres- 

 sion, the animal is extremely restless, snaps and barks at imaginary 

 intruders, and hites at sticks extended to him. 



In meningitis as in that dreaded madness the violence and maniacal 

 excitement occurs in paroxysms, with intervals of comparative quiet. 

 Convulsive movements occur, snapping the jaws, champing the teeth, 

 and foaming at the mouth, and very often prolonged general convulsions 

 are observed. The bowels are constipated. The sense of hearing remains 

 acute, and when called the animal will raise his head as though listening, 

 but unahle to locate from whence it comes or appreciate the significance 

 Of the sound, he does not respond. 



