APOPLEXY. 133 



Symptoms. — Apoplexy is characterized by the suddenness 

 of its attack. The animal exhibits more or less cerebral dis- 

 turbance, the pupil is dilated, the breathing is stertorous. 

 Sometimes paraplegia or hemiplegia accompanies the at- 

 tack. 



Fost-mortem. — Reveals congestion of the brain, ruptured 

 bloodvessels, and extravasation of blood. 



Treatment. — Frequent changes of food are beneficial. A 

 dose or two of sodium hyposulphite may be given. Apply 

 cold to the head during the attack, and, if the patient be a 

 horse, a pretty copious abstraction of blood may be attended 

 with benefit. The administration of a few full doses of 

 potassium bromide will be found very useful. Apoplexy is 

 far likelier to occur in stallions than in mares or geldings, 

 for the reason that they are more excitable, are oftener 

 excited, and have to sustain a severe strain on the nervous 

 system. They are also very highly fed, and on a very stimu- 

 lating diet, and, generally speaking, are more predisposed. 



EPILEPSY. 



This disease is occasionally observed in the horse, but is 

 of more frequent occurrence amongst dogs, in which latter 

 animal it is generally referred to as ' fits,' In man, tobacco, 

 alcoholic drinks, etc., all tend to produce epileptic fits. In 

 dogs the cause is intestinal derangement, as worms, etc. 



Symptoms. — The attack is marked by a well-marked con- 

 vulsive fit. The patient falls to the ground, froths at the 

 mouth, etc., the attack lasting for three or four minutes, 

 after which he arises, walks about in a dull manner, and in 

 a short time is apparently all right. 



Treatment. — Everything should be done to insure the 

 patient a full supply of fresh air. A piece of wood, or 

 similar substance, should be inserted between the teeth to 

 prevent them being injured, or the tongue bitten. After the 



