CONVULSIVE ERGOTISM, ALCOHOLISM, ETC. 155 



to cause the animal to fall to the ground. The pulse is 

 quickened, and there is a peculiar convulsive twitching of the 

 muscles, as though caused by a poisonous dose of strychnia. 



Post-mortem. — The rumen is found pretty full as a rule. 

 Little change, if any, is observable in connection with the 

 reticulum, omasum, or abomasum. The brain, spinal cord, 

 and meninges are generally slightly congested. 



Treatment. — Change the food immediately. Give a full 

 dose of cathartic medicine, and follow with sodium hypo- 

 sulphite in the ordinary sized dose. In some cases it is 

 advisable to administer nerve stimulants, and follow with 

 diffusible stimulants, etc. 



Hydrocephalus (or water in the cranial cavity). — This 

 condition is often met with, both in human and veterinary 

 practice. As a rule the lower animals do not survive very 

 long when suffering from hydrocephalus. The contrary 

 may be said as regards the human, as they will live even to 

 middle life, and have a pretty active brain. Sometimes the 

 head of a fcetus, on account of this disease, attains such a 

 size, that it is a matter of impossibility for delivery to take 

 place. In such a case delivery is effected, or at least made 

 possible, by making an opening into the cranial cavity of the 

 fcetus, and allowing the fluid contained therein to escape. 



STURDY, OR GID. 



This disease affects sheep oftener than any other animal, 

 although no animal is exempt from an attack. It is 

 also called 'turn-sick,' and is called 'gid,' in reference 

 to the vertigo, which occurs as a symptom. The disease 

 is due to the presence in the brain of a parasite, called 

 the ' coenurus cerebralis,' which i& developed from the 

 tape-worm of the dog; and this hydatid, if given to the 

 dog, will produce a tape-worm, which, becoming fully 

 developed, leaves the dog in segments, each ripe segment 



