GENERAL DISEASES. 67 



and aromatic spirit of ammonia, in doses of 2 ounces, or 

 whisky, in doses of 3 or 4 ounces, may be given three 

 times daily. Quinine may also be given, and other 

 vegetable tonics. Potassium chlorate may be dissolved in 

 the water during the acme of the fever, if the thirst be 

 great. 



Local Treatment. — Foment for two hours, three times 

 daily, with warm water. When exudation has taken place 

 into the subdermal tissues, free scarification is recommended 

 by some. If abscesses form, they should be freely incised, 

 so as to allow of the escape of pus, and the parts should 

 be dressed with carbolic solution (1 part in 40). 



Eaw.surfaceSj and unhealthy sores especially, should be 

 kept thoroughly clean by antiseptic solutions. 



CEREBRO-SPINAL FEVER. 



Synonym. — Epizootic cerebro-spinal meningitis. 



Definition. — Cerebro-spinal meningitis is an acute specific 

 febrile disease, often assuming the form of an epizootic, and 

 afi'ecting in particular the coverings of the brain and spinal 

 cord. 



Etiology. — The cause of this malady is not known. It is 

 especially prevalent in America, where dietetic errors are 

 said by some to produce it. 



It is most probably due to some specific germ. 



Symptoms. — The symptoms usually come on suddenly. 

 They begin with dizziness and vertigo, quickly followed by 

 total loss of motor power, which is often so complete and 

 sudden that the horse falls prostrate to the ground. 



The pulse and respirations are accelerated ; there is often 

 hypersesthesia, or increased nervous sensibility, especially 

 at the anterior part of the animal, and clonic contraction of 



6—2 



