DISEASES OF THE BRAIN AND NERVOUS SYSTEM. 251 



which the horse beats himself about in a terrible manner — 

 but there is rarely disposition to do mischief. In the greater 

 number of cases, these convulsions last not long. All the 

 powers of life are oppressed, and death speedily closes the 

 scene. 



" On examination after death, the whole venous system is 

 usually found in a state of congestion, and the vessels of the 

 brain are peculiarly turgid with black blood. Occasionally, 

 however, there is no inflammation of the brain or its mem- 

 branes; but either the stomach contains a more than usual 

 quantity of food, or tl^e larger intestines are loaded with 

 foul matter." 



TREATMENT. 



The treatment indicated by the symptoms of apoplexy is 

 very plain. The stomach itself needs no medicine, but may 

 be made the medium through which to convey a remedy for 

 the benefit of the nervous system. As it is the superabun- 

 dance of blood in the region of th'e brain that is killing the 

 horse, the first step in the treatment will be to bleed. Open the 

 jugular vein as soon as possible, and let the blood run until 

 its color changes to a light red color. The incision, whether 

 made with the fleam or lancet, should be large, so that the 

 stream may be of corresponding size, and flow freely. Re- 

 action is to be produced, and the blood drawn from the 

 vicinity of the brain as rapidly as possible. The operator 

 must be the judge as to the precise amount of blood to be 

 taken, as this will vary greatly in diflferent cases ; but his rule 

 should be to let it flow until the horse falters or trembles, or 

 begins to blow. 



Next, give a pint of hot salt and water, with a tea-spoonful 

 of Cayenne pepper and half an ounce of laudanum in it. 

 Youatt prescribes gentian and ginger. These are very good, 

 but quite mild, and, in our practice, have not seemed to fully 

 meet the requirements of the case. They do pretty well, 

 however, to follow after the laudanum. Prepare in propor- 

 tions as follows : One-half ounce of pulverized gentian, the 



