390 HORSE, SWINE AND POULTRY DISEASES 



oil and turpentine should be given per rectum. In the majority of 

 cases this will soon bring the horse to a state of consciousness. In 

 more severe cases mustard poultices should be applied along the spine 

 and above the fetlocks. As soon as the animal gains partial con- 

 sciousness stimulants, in the form of whisky or capsicum tea, should 

 be given. Owing to severity of the structural injury to the brain or 

 the possible rupture of blood vessels and blood extravasation, the re- 

 action may often be followed by encephalitis or cerebritis, and will 

 then have to be treated accordingly. For this reason the stimulants 

 should not be administered too freely, and they must be abandoned 

 as soon as reaction is established. There is no need for further 

 treatment unless complications develop as a secondary result. Bleed- 

 ing, which is so often practiced, proves almost invariably fatal in 

 this form of brain affection. We should also remember that it is 

 never safe to drench a horse with large quantities of medicine when 

 he is unconscious, for he is very liable to draw the medicine into the 

 lungs in inspiration. 



Prevention. Young horses, when harnessed or bitted for the 

 first few times, should not have their heads checked up high, for it 

 frequently causes them to rear up, and, being unable to control their 

 balance, they are liable to fall over sideways or backwards, thus 

 causing brain concussion when they strike the ground. 



ANEMIA OF THE BRAIN. 



This is a physiological condition in sleep. It is considered a 

 disease or may give rise to disease when the circulation and blood 

 supply of the brain are interfered with. In some diseases of the 

 heart the brain becomes anemic, and fainting fits occur, with tem- 

 porary loss of consciousness. Tumors growing within the cranium 

 may press upon one or more arteries and stop the supply of blood to 

 certain parts of the brain, thus inducing anemia, ultimately atrophy, 

 softening, or suppuration. Probably the most frequent cause is 

 found in plugging of the arteries by a blood clot. 



The symptoms are imperfect vision, constantly dilated pupils, 

 frequently a feeble and staggering gait, and occasionally cramps, 

 convulsions, or epileptic fits occur. The pathology is the exact op- 

 posite of cerebral hyperemia. The blood vessels are found empty, 

 the membranes blanched, and the brain substance softened. Re- 

 moval of the remote cause when possible is the treatment. General 

 tonics, nutritious food, rest, and removal from all causes of nervous 

 excitement. 



HYDROCEPHALUS, OR DROPSY OF THE BRAIN. 



This condition consists in an unnatural collection of fluid about 

 or in the brain. Depending upon the location of the fluid, we speak 

 of external and internal hydrocephalus. External hydrocephalus is 

 seen chiefly in young animals. It consists in a collection of fluid 

 under the meninges, but outside of the brain proper. This defect 

 is usually congenital. It is accompanied by an enlargement of the 

 skull, especially in the region of the forehead. The pressure of the 

 fluid may cause the bones to soften. The disease is incurable and 

 usually fatal. Internal hydrocephalus is a disease of mature horses, 



