122 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 



thing, but at any time, in the stable or in the field, it inay have an 

 attack, stagger, fall, and violent convulsions ensue; the urine and dung 

 may be voided involuntarily during the fit, and the breathing may be of 

 that snoring description called stertorous. Epilepsy must not be con- 

 founded with vertigo the fainting which is an effect of heart troubles. 



The exact cause or causes of epilepsy in the majority of cases arc 

 unknown. Post-mortem examinations, in many instances, have failed 

 to discover any lesion in connection with the brain or nervous system ; 

 while in other instances disease of the brain has been found in the form 

 of thickening of the membranes, abscesses find tumors; and in some 

 cases the affection has been manifested in connection with a diseased 

 condition of the blood. The cause has also been traced to reflex irri- 

 tation, due to teething, worms, and chronic indigestion. 



Treatment. When the affection is due to the last-named causes 

 treatment may be successful if the cause is removed. If there are 

 symptoms of worms or of indigestion, follow the general treatment 

 advised for those troubles under their proper heads. If due to irrita- 

 tation caused by teething, the inflamed gums must be lanced. Exami- 

 nation of the mouth often develops the fact that one of the temporary 

 teeth causes much irritation by remaining unshed, and thereby inter- 

 fering with the growth of a permanent tooth. The offending tooth 

 should be extracted. When the cause of epilepsy can not be dis- 

 covered, it must be confessed that there is no prospect of a cure in such 

 cases. However, some benefit may be expected from the occasional 

 administration of a purgative dose of medicine. A pound of Epsom 

 salts dissolved in a quart of warm water, for a cow of average size, 

 may be given as a drench once or twice a month. In addition to the 

 purgative, 4 drams of bromide of potassium, dissolved in the drinking 

 water, three times a day, has proved very beneficial in some cases. 



SUNSTROKE PROSTRATION FROM HEAT. 



Owing to the fact that cattle are seldom put to work at which they 

 would have to undergo severe exertion, especially in collars, they are 

 not frequently prostrated by the extreme heat of the summer months. 

 When atpasture they select the coolest places in the shade of trees, etc., 

 when the heat becomes oppressive, and thereby avoid, as much as 

 possible, the effects of it. But nevertheless cases are not uncommon 

 when cattle suffer from the so-called sunstroke. 



Cattle that have been kept up for the purpose of fattening, when 

 driven some distance in very hot weather, are the most liable to be 

 prostrated, but it must be remembered that it is not really necessary 

 for the animal to be exposed to the rays of the sun, as those confined 

 in hot, close places may suffer. This often happens in shipping, when 

 they are crowded together in cars. 



Symptoms. The premonitory signs are those of exhaustion dullness, 

 panting, frothing at the mouth, tongue hanging out, irregular gait, un- 



