DISEASES OF THE NERVOUS SYSTEM. 105 



ministered. Cold applications to the head and the general treat- 

 ment recommended for encephalitis are indicated. 



CONCUSSION OF THE BRAIN. 



Severe blows on the head, striking the head against some hard 

 object while running, or falling on the head may cause concussion 

 of the brain. The injury may fracture bones of the cranium and 

 produce compression of the brain. 



SyTrhptoms and treatment. — The symptoms and the treatment that 

 is indicated differ very little from what has been said under conges- 

 tion of the brain and under encephalitis. In some cases it may be 

 necessary to operate to remove a piece of bone that is pressing on the 

 brain or to remove a clot of blood under the area which received the 

 blow. 



EPILEPSY. 



This affection is characterized by the occurrence of sudden con- 

 vulsions. The animal may appear to be in a fair state of health 

 usually, but at any time, in the stable or in the field, it may have a 

 convulsion in which it will fall and lose consciousness. Epilepsy 

 must not be confounded with vertigo — ^the fainting which is an effect 

 of heart troubles. 



The exact cause of epilepsy in the majority of cases is 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, and 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 

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



Treatment. — l^Tien 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- 

 tion 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. 

 However, some benefit may be expected from the occasional admin- 

 istration of a purgative dose of medicine. A pound of Epsom salt 

 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 purga- 

 tive, 4 drams of bromid of potassium, dissolved in the drinking 

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



