Prognosis. Treatment. 655 



The above diseases having been excluded it remains to de- 

 termine whether the cerebral disturbances are not the result of 

 some other chronic disease of the brain. As a rule it is very 

 difficult, if not impossible, to ascertain what is the primary dis- 

 ease, but the abnormal movements, the acute attacks occurring 

 at long intervals and lasting for some days, the alternation of 

 improvement with relapse generally indicate internal dropsy of 

 the brain. Paralysis of individual cranial nerves and the ex- 

 hibition of symptoms on the part of the opposite side of the 

 body indicate either the presence of tumors or parasites in 

 the brain. Finally in cases of hydrocephalus internus only 

 is improvement observed under treatment with diaphoretics. 

 The differential diagnosis of chronic encephalitis and menin- 

 gitis is fraught with still greater difficulty because these condi- 

 tions sometimes lead to a gradual depression of cerebral activity. 



Prognosis. When once the disease has started it pursues 

 a steady course, gradually increasing in severity; however, 

 there may be periods during which the disease, although still 

 present, is at a standstill. Prognosis is very unfavorable, al- 

 though the disease does not prevent the horse from doing cer- 

 tain kinds of work. The more pronounced the dullness, the 

 more serious are the disturbances of power of locomotion and 

 the more limited the usefulness of the animal. Should symp- 

 toms appear indicating that the nutrition of the body is upset 

 it is no longer Avortli while to keep the animal alive. Riding 

 horses are most depreciated by the disease, because greater de- 

 mands are made of them as to accuracy of movement, etc. Dis- 

 eased horses are consequently fit for draught work only, and 

 that at a walking pace. In judging individual cases, besides 

 the diseased conditions, the following points must be consid- 

 ered : for what kind of work is the horse used, under what con- 

 ditions does it work, and whether it is possible to do away with 

 any prejudicial conditions of its work. Finally, in forming a 

 prognosis the possibility must be considered that acute attacks 

 may occur and cause death within a short time or make the ani- 

 mal dangerous. 



Treatment. When once the disease has set in treatment is 

 of no avail, but by careful regulation of the diet the progress 

 of the disease may be rendered slower and thus the animal may 

 remain capable of work for a longer time. Above all, diseased 

 horses should be spared as much as possible and used for light 

 work. Food should be given in sufficient quantity to maintain 

 the condition of the body and allow the work to be done. It is 

 not advisable, as many believe, to keep the animals hungry. 

 The food should be easily digested so that constipation may be 

 avoided. Fresh green food is the best in the summer. Finally, 

 the patients should be placed in clean stalls that are not too 

 warm. 



