xxxn. 



DISEASES OF THE NERVOUS SYSTEM 



ENCEPHALITIS. 



Encephalitis, or inflammation of the brain, is freqnently met 

 with in some localities. 



Causes. — It occurs as a result of an injury; in other cases it 

 can be traced to the food or Avater. It may result from feeding 

 on over-ripe grasses or on roots that have lain in the cellar all 

 winter, or from eating narcotic weeds and plants. The feeding 

 of over-ripe rye grasses in Great Britain frequently produces 

 brain diseases. It may also be due to tumors. 



Symptoms. — The first symptom is dullness; the animal falls 

 asleep while standing, and may nod the head. The pulse is 

 slower, the urine is scant; he walks with a staggering gait; looks 

 excited; thriists his head against the manger and presses it there 

 for some time. He moves the limbs automatically, rears and 

 falls, gets up and may put his feet in the manger, and elevate 

 the head. high up into the rack. There are often seen twitchings 

 of the muscles of the neck, the eyes become blood-shot, the 

 breathing stertorous, and sometimes there is frantic effort to 

 climb over the stall. In some cases the animal walks in a circle, 

 and no persuasion or force will induce him to move otherwise. 



Treat:ment. — Give eight drachms of aloes, combined with 

 one drachm of calomel. The cow should be given twenty ounces 

 of sulphate of magnesia and fifteen croton beans. .The animal 

 should have plenty of water to drink, and the head should be 

 bathed with cold water, or pounded ice in a bag may be applied 

 to the head. Belladonna in two-drachm doses may be given, and 

 is usually attended with good results. Bromide of potassium, in 

 three-drachm doses, should be given every three hours, along 



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