238 DISEASES OF THE NERVOUS SYSTEM 



consciousness, staggering or giddiness, and in some cases, vomiting; these 

 however, are only temporary. In extensive hemorrhage, on the contrary, 

 there is the sudden appearance of grave cerebral symptoms. The animal 

 falls down without any premonitory symptoms, or else shows, for a short 

 time, dizziness, staggering, trembling and uncontrollable movements, 

 or convulsions, and then loses entire consciousness. The pulse becomes 

 weak or irregular, or rapid and very small. The respirations are deep, 

 stertorous, and irregular. The mucous membranes of the head are in- 

 tensely reddened, and in the early stages of the attack, convulsions are 

 very frequently noticed and involuntary evacuation of urine and fseces. 

 This is followed by partial or complete paralysis, which is due partially 

 to destruction of the brain substance, and partially to the blood pressing on 

 the brain. This paralysis may affect the extremities, both anterior and 

 posterior, that half of the body which is opposite to the extravasation in 

 the brain being the one affected. The animal may also become blind. 

 This disease may result: 1, in death, which occurs either in a few mo- 

 ments or may take days; 2, in complete recovery — this however, only 

 occurs where there is a small hemorrhage, and in one of the centers of 

 the hemispheres; 3, in complete recovery, with partial or complete 

 paralysis, according to the amount of hemorrhage. 



Great hemorrhages of the cerebral membranes are marked by the 

 same symptoms as apoplexy of the brain. Apoplexia meningia, occurs 

 generally in connection with violent traumatisms of the skull, such as 

 shocks, concussions, fractures, etc. The blood is generally found in the 

 cerebral membrane, between the dura mater and the skull. It may 

 also be observed in the subarachnoidal chamber and in the brain- 

 cavities. The symptoms are similar to those of apoplexy of the brain, 

 but, as a rule, convulsions appear earlier, and the animal, while he may 

 present symptoms of coma, makes a much quicker recovery. 



Therapeutics. — Absolute rest, cold compresses on the head, stimulants 

 when the pulse is weak, ether and camphor, either internally or subcu- 

 taneousl}^ after the coma disappears, purgatives and injections of soapy 

 water per rectum to stimulate evacuations of the bowels. To relieve 

 congestion of blood vessels, administer iodide of potassium. 



Traumatic Lesion and Concussion of the Brain. 



Concussion and Commotis Cerebri. 



Etiology and Pathological Anatomy. — The cause of this condition is 

 some traumatism to the skull bcjiics, such as butting the head against a 

 wall when running fast, Ix'ing hit with a stone or quoit, or struck with 

 some vehicle, or falling on the head out of a window. 8ome portion of the 



