78 DADD'S VETERINARY MEDICINE AND SURGERY. 



«5ndA in coma, which is the latter stage just referred tc, dtvuid ol 

 any mad or phrenitic symptoms, but marked by lethargy, or i 

 prolonged comatose condition, from which no stimulus will 

 arouse the patient. He is not only the subject of altered struc- 

 ture within and around the brain, but the latter is compressed by 

 the serum, or pus, as the case may be, and thus sensibility is 

 more or less destroyed. The degree of coma, however, will be 

 lirectly proportioned to the degree of pressure. Now, tne reader 

 will perceive that the proposition of treatment, just referred to, 

 for the acute stage will not apply to the comatose condition ; fti 

 here we have to stimulate and give tone to the system, so as to 

 sustain the failing vital powers. 



In regard to this subject, Professor Copeman observes: "In 

 inflammation of the brain, phrenitis, mad staggers, I have told 

 you that it may be said to be impossible to distinguish, with any 

 thing like certainty, in individual cases, acute inflammation of 

 the substance of the brain from those aifecting the membranes 

 or ventricles. The reason will be obvious when we reflect thai 

 the phenomena, in every instance, are, in fact, attributable ic 

 pressure on the entire contents of the skull, encephalon, viz : 

 cerebrum, cerebellum, medulla, oblongata, and membranes; and 

 if this be rapid and general, it can matter little M'hethcr it orig- 

 inates from the membranes or the brain. Acute inflammation 

 does, however, sometimes appear to invade at once the whole of 

 the parts that are lodged within the skull; or, beginning in one 

 part, it extends rapidly to all the rest. The symptoms which 

 usually mark an attack of cerebritis arc the following: The honte 

 becomes sleepy, heavy, or more or less comatose, accompanied by 

 general fever. After a time a convulsive attack supervenes. He 

 becomes morose, and shows delirium ; perhaps rears both fore- 

 legs into the manger, from which position he may reel around 

 and fill, kicking and tearing every thing about him. During 

 the fit his res})iration is much excited, and he sweats profusely 

 If he gets upon his legs, he makes sudden and violent efforts, 

 dashing against rack, manger, or stall, totally disregarding any 

 thing that may be said or done to him. Thus he is continually 

 struggling, panting, and perspiring, perhaps foaming at the 

 mouth, leading the ordinary observer to believe he is not only 

 delirious but actually 'mad.' But all these symptoms 'ary much 

 in different cases. Coma occurs freauentlv* but oftn nl^ tera- 



