236 



DISEASES OF THE BRAIN AND NERVOUS 



SYSTEM. 



562. The Functional Derangement and Diseases of the brain 

 and nervous system are not of so frequent occurrence in the domestic 

 animals as they are in the human subject, yet, from their peculiarity 

 and obscurity, they are most interesting, arising as they do from a 

 great variety of causes. Functional disturhmice is, in man}' cases, due to 

 reflex action; the real cause being very remote from the brain, as, for 

 instance : — derangement or disease of any portion of the digestive 

 organs, such as stomach-staggers in horse and cow, or worms in 

 the stomach and intestines ; or it ma}- arise from affections of the 

 urinary and generative systems, such as hysteria, epileptic fits, 

 puerperal eclampsia and parturient apoplex}', biliary and uraemic 

 poisoning, and it also may be due to mineral (lead) and vegetable 

 poisoning. Before, therefore, suitable treatment can be adopted, it is 

 of the utmost importance to find the cause ; failing this, the acute and 

 most prominent symptoms must have immediate attention, and be 

 relieved as far as possible. 



DISEASES OF THE BRAIN. 



563. Professor Williams, in " The Principles and Practice of Veterinary 

 Medicine " (page 505, 8th Edition), gives in a tabulated form, the 

 difference in symptoms, so as to distinguish between disease of the 

 brain substance, and of its coverings. Usually, when the substance 

 of the brain is affected, the symptoms are of a quiet drowsy nature, 

 whereas, when the coverings are attacked, the symptoms are of a very 

 excitable, convulsive, and spasmodic character. 



564. Phrenitis, or inflammation of the brain and of its coverings, 

 in the horse, is happily very rare. In two cases observed by me, the 

 horses were seized suddenly, and commenced to worry and bite 

 surrounding objects. On putting them into a loose box, they roamed 



