130 THE PRACTI^CE OF VETERINARY MEDICINP:. 



are going to terminate fatally the patient falls into a 

 lethargic condition, which is soon followed by convulsions 

 and death. When he is down, enemas should be freely 

 given. The patient should be placed so as to rest on his 

 sternum, and supported in that position by bundles of 

 straw, etc. An attack may be warded off, when coming on, 

 by rest, a stimulant, cool water to drink, shade, etc. 



CONCUSSION OF THE BRAIN. 



Concussion of the brain may take place in any animal, 

 and occurs in a variety of ways. In the horse it is usually 

 caused by the animal running away and striking the head 

 against some hard object in a violent manner, rearing up and 

 falling backwards, passing through a low doorway, kicks, etc. 

 Sometimes the cranial bones are fractured, and death soon 

 ensues. And in cases where the basilar process of the occi- 

 pital bone is fractured, death takes place almost instan- 

 taneously. 



Symptoms. — In concussion of the brain, complete loss of 

 motor-power and sensibility takes place. The practitioner 

 is usually informed that the animal has run away, fallen, 

 and is unable to rise. The pupillary opening is found, on 

 examination, to be dilated ; the pulse is often indistinct, 

 the temperature of the body-surface is considerably lower 

 than in health ; the breathing is stertorous in character, and 

 the animal is totally unconscious of all that is going on 

 around him. In many cases the patient will in an hour or 

 so exhibit signs of returning consciousness, and usually 

 makes an effort to rise. He gets his fore-legs under him 

 and tries to get up exactly like a cow, hind-legs first. If 

 the brain is much affected by concussion, there will be loss 

 of power involving the whole body. If the injur}^ affects 

 the spinal cord behind the brain, loss of motor-power is 

 referable only to those parts situated postsrior to the seat 



