128 THE PRACTICE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. 



unfavourable, but the practitioner should not be in too great 

 a hurry to give up the case, as in numbers of cases seem- 

 ingly hopeless, recoveries are made that are almost miraculous. 

 AYhen the bowels begin to act freely, there is a good chance 

 of recovery ; hence, no matter how violent the frenzy of the 

 animal may be, the case should never be abandoned. A 

 pretty strong pulse is also to be regarded as a favourable 

 symptom. If the body becomes covered with a cold sweat, 

 the eyes amaurotic, etc., it may be said with confidence that 

 the animal will die, and more especially if he has been 

 affected for some time. If the patient is lying down, have 

 his general comfort attended to. Pad him up, and turn 

 him from side to side occasionally. Give fresh, cold, and 

 pure water and fresh air in abundance, and endeavour to 

 combat each symptom as it presents itself. 



SUNSTROKE. 



Sunstroke occurs with greatest frequency in warm coun- 

 tries, and during hot ^veather. About fourteen or fifteen 

 3^ears ago a great many horses died from sunstroke on the 

 American continent. It is a greater or less congestion of the 

 brain, causing either partial or complete loss of mo lion, and 

 often of sensation. The predisposing causes are high feeding 

 or a highly stimulating diet; irregular exercise; an insufficient 

 supply of good water, badly-ventilated stables, etc. Debility 

 may also be mentioned as a predisposing cause. The 

 immediate cause is exposure to the sun during very hot 

 weather, as in August, and more especially if the animal is 

 doing heavy work, or is put to severe exertion of any kind. 

 An animal in perfect health and condition maybe attacked, 

 but is not nearly so likely to suffer as an animal debilitated 

 from any cause whatever. 



Symptoms. — Generally before the trouble becomes well 

 marked, that is, before the acute stage is reached, certain 



