DISEASES OF THE BRAIN AND NERVOUS SYSTEM. 431 



n. Cerebro-Spinal Meningitis. 



This is not a common disease among horses in the cities, and is rarely 

 or never seen in the country. It has existed as an epizootic in New 

 York and Boston. 



Causes. — Impurities in the air, the horse being kept in a small or 

 overcrowded, ill ventilated stable, fed very high and not worked very 

 hard. It is induced by a plethoric condition. 



How to know It. — The horse seems listless for a day or two, stumbles, 

 reels behind, and sometimes will fall quite down ; the pupils become 

 diUited ; the pulse gets quick and full ; respirations rapid ; there is 

 twitching of the muscles of the head and neck ; at first he is sensi- 

 tive to noises, but as the fever increases and the disease developes, 

 blindness and deafness set in, and death soon follows. 



What to do.— Put the horse in slings, if possible, before he gets so bad 

 that he cannot stand, and apply ice and bran poultices to the whole length 

 of the spine ; give the purgative No. 48, and the following recipe in one- 

 ounce doses three times a day : 



No. 62. 8 Ounces bromide of potash, 



1 Pint water, 

 Mix. 



Effusion takes place on the brain and paralysis results. When the 

 effusion reaches the centers that supply nerve power to the lungs and 

 heart the animal dies. 



III. Apoplexy. 



Causes. — Apoplexy results from a sudden pressure on the brain when 

 the horse is otherwise healthy ; it is usually due to over exertion in a tight 

 collar, causing a rushing of blood to the head. 



How to know it. — There is insensibility, the horse staggers and falls ; 

 froths at the mouth ; the muscles twitch ; there is partial paralysis for the 

 time being ; respiration is suspended for a short time. 



What to do. — Remove the harness as quickly as possible ; give a free 

 chance to breathe ; and dash cold water over the head. He will sood 

 recover and go on again all right. 



Prevention. — Do not allow the horse to get too fat ; see that the collar 

 is not too short for him ; it may press hard on each side of the neck to 

 advantage, but it must have good length, at least two inches at the bot- 

 tom below the neck ; avoid fast driving when the horse is not in a condi- 

 tion to stand it. 



