Diseases of the Nervous System. 233 



been attained than with others. The dose is from one- 

 fortieth to one-tenth of a grain, or of nux vomica one to 

 two grains, twice daily in bolus, and always after a meal. 

 Some practitioners prefer the liquor strychnia^ one fluid 

 drachm of which contains half a grain of the alkaloid, as 

 being more effective as well as more readily administered. 

 The seton is also employed, together with blisters, and 

 sometimes mercurial ointment in chronic cases, the parts 

 selected being the back of the head, along the spine, &c., 

 as indicated by the symptoms. The hot bath often soothes 

 and rests the patient. Fresh air and walking exercise 

 must be given according only to ability, never to tire cr 

 distress ; and when the strychnine can be safely dispensed 

 with, a change to cod-liver oil and iron tonics will be 

 advisable. Give plain nourishing diet, always ensuring 

 an appetite for the following meal. Remove constipation 

 by enemas only as a safe precaution against exhausting 

 the little strength of the patient. 



Cramp differs from chorea in the continuance of 

 painful spasm in a portion only of a muscle, arising from 

 some cause local or general in its nature. Thus it may 

 be due to poisoning, rheumatism, or the effects of cold 

 after being in the water. The hind limbs are most 

 commonly seized. 



Treatment consists of the hot bath, followed by swath- 

 ing in heated rugs or flannel until the body is thoroughly 

 dried, and afterwards removed singly. The best remedy 

 is the anodyne mixture No. 6, followed by friction to 

 the part. Subjects of the malady should have dry beds 

 and quarters, with freedom from cold draughts. 



Injuries to the Head usually result in signs which 

 vary with the amount of actual damage inflicted, and 

 the area over which the effects are distributed. The 

 indications are those of eonciission and conpression of tiie 

 brain, with more or less dafnage to the coverings, and 

 apoplexy. Under these circumstances it is frequently a 

 question of difficulty to estimate to what extent these 

 conditions may exist. 



In Concussion of the Brain the animal is said to be 

 stunned, that is, motionless and insensible ; respiration 



