THE NERVOUS SYSTEM 359 



should be withdrawn every four or five hours. Never on any account 

 take all the milk at once from the big congested udder of a deep milker. 



589. Hysteria, a nervous derangement with or without convul- 

 sions, although very rare, is sometimes met with in both the mare 

 and the cow, but more frequently in the latter. It seizes the 

 animal very suddenly. More particularly is this so when it is 

 coming into service for the first time. In the mare, at times, the 

 head is pulled upwards and backwards, the eyes are very watchful, 

 the nostrils are dilated, and on touching, or even approaching, the 

 patient it becomes very excited. It may kick and struggle, or rear 

 up and fall over backwards. In the heifer the symptoms are some- 

 what similar to those in the mare. It is, however, more subject to 

 convulsions, and falls down suddenly, bellows loudly, champs and 

 foams at the mouth, and grinds the teeth. The eyes roll about, and 

 there are strong muscular tremblings, and contortions of the limbs 

 and neck, as if the patient was in a fit. 



590. Treatment for Hysteria. — Bleeding to the extent of 5 or 6 

 quarts is very useful, followed up by dashing cold water over the 

 head ; and after the paroxysm has passed, ^ ounce each of chloral 

 hydrate and bromide of potassium in a pint of cold milk should be 

 administered. If desirable, 1 to 2 drachms of the extract of bella- 

 donna may be substituted for the chloral and bromide. From 

 20 to 30 ounces of linseed or castor oil should also be given, and it 

 may be found necessary to repeat the bromide every eight hours. 

 As a rule, however, the symptoms disappear in a few hours. 



591. Epilepsy (Fits) — involuntary spasms and contortion of the 

 muscles, with sudden loss of consciousness. This peculiar nervous 

 derangement may arise from a number of causes, such as retarded 

 dentition ; worms in the stomach and bowels ; improper food, causing 

 intestinal disorder ; and uterine complications. The attack is gener- 

 ally very sudden ; the animal stops instantly, trembles all over, and 

 falls to the ground, the whole muscular system being thrown into 

 violent contortions. There is a peculiar rocking and working of the 

 head and limbs, and rolling of the eyeball, which turns in under the 



