DISEASES OP THE NERVOUS SYSTEM. 107 



In such cases bleeding should be resorted to immediately, and when 

 the power of swallowing is not lost purgatives should be admin- 

 istered. Cold applications to the head, and the general treatment 

 recommended for encephalitis are indicated. 



CONCUSSION OF THE BRAIN. 



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

 ject while running, or falling on the head, may cause concussion of 

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

 duce compression of the brain. 



Symptoms and treatment. — The symptoms and the treatment that 

 is indicated differ veiy 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 convul- 

 sions. The animal may appear to l:>e 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 irri- 

 tation, due to teething, wonns, 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 w^orms 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 gimis 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 



