40 CAUSES, SYMPTOMS ANT) TREATMENT Of 



paroxysm may pass off, and the animal will remain quiet for some 

 time, and then have another attack. It is likely to terminate fatally. 

 The convulsions become more frequent and alarming. He will place 

 his head between his fore legs, etc. 



Treatment. — It is sometimes dangerous to attempt treating it. 

 Use the anti-phi'ogistic treatment. Give a good dose of purgative 

 medicine, six to twelve, or if a very heavy horse, you may give 

 fifteen to sixteen drachms of aloes ; may give aconite, or blood- 

 letting may be of great benefit ; give injections freely, but I do not 

 recommend opiates to any great extent. But you might in some 

 cases give chloroform, morphia, etc. Give bromide of potassium in 

 pretty good doses. Apply cold to the head — cold water or ice. If the 

 symptoms are not extremely violent, do not give up the case, for your 

 labours may be crowned with success. If the pulse is tolerably 

 strong, and the animal is not perspiring freely, there is hope. If the 

 animal is in good condition, not too fat nor too lean, it is good prac- 

 tice, in some cases, to draw blood. If an animal dies from inflamma- 

 tion of the brain, you will find an increased amount of blood to the 

 brain, or you may find blood in the ventricle of the brain. You com- 

 bine calomel with aloes, and croton oil is sometimes recommended, 

 but in combination with these do not give as much aloes as you would 

 without them. 



Sunstroke. — Common to all animals, more common to man than 

 animals ; common among hard- worked horses in the hot months of 

 summer. It is a congested state of the blood vessels of the brain, 

 with loss of sensation and of voluntary motion. 



Causes. — Exposure to the hot sun, as a general thing, but there are 

 predisposing causes, as over-stimulating diet, breathing impure air, 

 etc. Horses in good, healthy condition, with moderate exercise, 

 regular habits, etc., are not so liable to an attack; but an animal in 

 perfect health may be attacked. 



Symptoms. — There may be premonitory symptoms before the vio- 

 lent symptoms ; dulness ; animal may have been doing work, but 

 has been dull; appetite impaired, dryness of the skin, increased tem- 

 perature of the skin ; horse does not sweat readily. I have noticed 

 this in connection with street railway horses ; would show such 

 symptoms for two, three, or even four days, before showing severe 

 symptoms. Animal will show a staggering gait in acute symptoms ; 

 may fall, struggle for some time, and then lie quite still for some 

 time, from complete loss of power ; or he may not lose all power, may 

 try to rise, fall and injure himself in this way ; pupil dilated; pulse 

 quick and weak, breathing stentorious ; will offer no resistance when 

 you attempt to raise him. 



Treatment. — If the animal is in a semicomatose condition, it will 

 be difficult to give medicine ; but apply cold water to the head, by 

 means of wet cloths, or take ice and pound and put it into a bag, and 

 place over the head. Keep the body warm, stimulate, use tepid water 

 and turpentine, and if the animal can swallow, give stimulants ; one 

 ounce nitrous ether to two or three ounces of water. But if the power 

 of swallowing is gone, be very careful in giving medicine by the 

 mouth, for there is danger of it passing into the trachea. Try hypo- 

 dermic injections of ether. I have tried it in cases where there was 

 great prostration. If the animal show signs of returning conscious- 

 ness, there is hope of recovery. If he wishes to drink, give nice cold 

 water, and if you think he can stand, help him up. Give small doses 

 of purgative medicine in most cases; and give bromide of potassium. 



