386 HORSE, SWINE AND POULTRY DISEASES 



arteries and capillaries and cause immediate death, designated then 

 as a stroke of apoplexy. 



Symptoms. Congestion of the brain is usually sudden in its 

 manifestation and of short duration. The animal may stop very 

 suddenly and shake his head or stand quietly braced on his legs, 

 then stagger, make a plunge, and fall. The eyes are staring, breathing 

 hurried and the nostrils widely dilated. This may be followed by 

 coma, violent convulsive movements, and death. Generally, how- 

 ever, the animal gains relief in a short time, but he may remain 

 weak and giddy for several days. If this is due to organic change 

 of the heart or to disease of the blood vessels in the brain, then the 

 symptoms may be of slow development manifested by drowsiness, 

 dimness or imperfect vision, difficulty in voluntary movements, 

 diminished sensibility of the skin, loss of consciousness, delirium, 

 and death. In milder cases effusion may take place in the arach- 

 noid spaces and ventricles of the brain, followed by paralysis and 

 other complications. 



Pathology. In congestion of the brain the cerebral vessels are 

 loaded with blood, and the venous sinuses distended to an extreme 

 degree, and the pressure exerted upon the brain constitutes actual 

 compression, giving rise to the symptoms just mentioned. On post- 

 mortem examinations this engorgement is found universal through- 

 out the brain and its membranes, which serves to distinguish it 

 from inflammations of these structures, in which the engorgements 

 are confined more or less to circumscribed portions. A prolonged 

 congestion may, however, lead to active inflammation, and in that 

 case we will find serous and plastic exudations in the cavities of the 

 brain. In addition to the intensely engorged condition of the ves- 

 sels we find the gray matter of the brain redder in color than nat- 

 ural. In cases where several attacks have occurred the blood vessels 

 are often found permanently dilated. 



Treatment. Prompt removal of all mechanical obstructions 

 to the circulation. If it is due to venous obstruction by too tight 

 a collar, the loosening of the collar will give immediate relief. The 

 horse should be bled freely from the jugular vein. If due to tumors 

 or abscesses, a surgical operation becomes necessary to afford relief. 

 To revive the animal if he becomes partially or totally unconscious, 

 cold water should be dashed on the head. Give a purge of Glau- 

 ber's salts. If the limbs are cold, tincture of capsicum or strong 

 mustard water should be applied to them. If symptoms of paraly- 

 sis remain after two or three days, an active cathartic and iodide of 

 potassa will be indicated, to be given as prescribed for inflammation 

 of the brain. 



Prevention. Well-adjusted collar, with strap running from 

 the collar to the girth, to hold down the collar when pulling up- 

 grade; regular feed and exercise, without allowing the animal to 

 become excessively plethoric; moderate checking, allowing a free- 

 and-easy movement of the head; well-ventilated stabling, proper 

 cleanliness, pure water, etc. 



