ADVENTITIOUS PRODUCTS IN THE CKANIAL CAVITY. 535 



MELANOSIS OF THE BRAIN AND MENINGES. 



Small, black, melanotic nodules, varying in size from a pea to 

 that of a bean, were found in the brain and on its meninges in 

 an aged grey stallion which had suffered for a number of years 

 irom " stringhalt." Not only w^ere they found in the cranial 

 cavity, but along the course of the spinal cord, being particularly 

 numerous in the lumbar region. 



ENLARGEMENT OF THE PINEAL BODY. 



Tliis body is sometimes found enlarged, and sometimes con- 

 verted into a cyst, containing a wdiitish viscid fluid. The pitui- 

 tary body may also be found in a similar condition. These 

 appearances are met with in old subjects on the dissecting table- 

 There are no appearances which indicate their presence during life. 



Parasites in the Brain. — (See Parasitic Diseases.) 



SOFTENING OF THE BRAIN. 



I have already stated that softening of the brain occurs as a 

 sequel of epizootic cellulitis, and that it is due to plugging of 

 the cerebral arterial branches. 



All the conditions mentioned in this chapter may give rise to 

 what is termed immobilite by Trench veterinarians — coma som- 

 nolentum by writers on human medicine, and sleepy staggers 

 by old writers on farriery; a manifestation or expression of 

 brain disease characterised by general dulness, a tendency to 

 fall asleep when allowed to stand quiet for a while, tripping 

 or falling, staggering gait, slow pulse, and deep respiration. 

 An animal suffering from this will often fall asleep with its 

 mouth full of food. It is, however, easily aroused, and if this 

 be done suddenly, will manifest fright, trembling, and a dis- 

 position to delirium. 



For the relief of these symptoms an occasional purgative ought 

 to be administered, the animal carefully fed, and worked gently, so 

 long as it remains serviceable, after which it should be humanely 

 destroyed, as it is useless to endeavour to cure what is organically 

 changed. Hence all irritating materials in the form of blisters, 

 setons, &c., should be avoided. 



