DISEASES OF THE BRAlN AND NERVOUS SYSTEM. 69 



Yet, whatever view of the question, whether affirmative or nega- 

 tive, may be taken, the same reasoning will apply equally to man 

 and the horse in regard to the disease under consideration. We 

 are told that, in some instances, such foreign bodies have been 

 found in these situations on examination after death. This I do 

 not deny; but, at the same time, the evidence that these had 

 much, if any thing, to do in the production of epilepsy, still less 

 that the disease took its origin from them, is, in my judgmeni, 

 far from complete, and, in some cases that have been recorded, 

 unsatisfactory to the last degree. Again, the circulation of blood 

 in an unhealthy state, in its accustomed channels through the 

 substance of the delicately-constructed brain or spinal cord, appears 

 to me not unlikely to be a frequent cause of this disease in man. 

 The comparatively recent physiological researches of Dr. Brown - 

 Sequard have thrown much light upon the heretofore obscure 

 pathology of epilepsy in the human subject ; and I conceive that 

 his arguments, and the conclusions deduced therefrom, are, for the 

 most part, perfectly applicable to an animal so high in the zoolog- 

 ical series as the horse is well known to be." 



Treatment. — So soon as the horse falls, some hay or straw should 

 be placed under his head and around him. Bathe the region of 

 the cranium with cold water, and carefully wash the foam from his 

 mouth, taking care not to let any water, hay, or dirt enter the 

 nostrils. Officious persons are very apt to attempt, by force of 

 strength, to raise the horse on his legs ; but this ought not to be 

 done. Let him rest quietly until consciousness returns; then, 

 should he attempt to get up, help from the bystanders may then 

 be of some service. When on his legs, deal gently with him. Let 

 the external surface of the body be rubbed until the skin is dry ; 

 then administer two ounces of fluid extract of valerian, and let 

 the patient be provided with comfortable quarters. For a few 

 days the patient should be excused from work, and be fed lightly. 

 The only way to prevent a re-attack is to keep him at light work, 

 and treat him in the most gentle manner, both in the stable and 

 out of it. 



In cases of this character, as well as many others, men are apt 

 to place too much confidence in medicine, and dose the animal ac- 

 cordingly ; but, as we understand the practice of medicine, it is the 

 province of the good physician to know when to do nothing. 



