428 ATONIC DISEASES. 



FITS. 



Fits are of three kinds : 1st, those arising from irritation, espe- 

 cially in the puppy, and known as convulsive fits ; 2nd, those con- 

 nected with pressure on the brain, and being of the nature of 

 apoplexy ; and 3rd, epileptic fits, which may occur at all ages, and 

 even at intervals throughout the whole life of the animal. 



Convulsive fits are generally produced by the irritation of denti- 

 tion, and occur chiefly at the two periods when the teeth are cut, 

 that is, in the first month, and from the fifth to the seventh. 

 They come on suddenly, the puppy Ipng on its side, and being 

 more or less convulsed, the extent and severity of the struggling 

 being no indication of the amount of the disease. There is no 

 foaming at the mouth, and the recovery from them is gradual, in 

 both these points differing from epilepsy. The only treatment at all 

 likely to be of service, is the use of the hot-bath, which in young 

 and delicate puppies may sometimes give relief. Fits arising in 

 distemper, are caused by absolute mischief in the brain, unless 

 they occur as a consequence of worms, ■v\liich will also produce 

 them at other times, and are nearly as often the cause as teething. 

 In such cases, these parasites being removed, the fits cease. 



In cqmplectic fits the dog lies insensible, or nearly so, without 

 foaming at the mouth, but snoring and breathing heavily. Here 

 the treatment must be conducted by taking away blood from the 

 neck- vein, afterwards purging by means of croton oil, and inserting 



