192 ' 



result fatally in a very few hours. During the whole course of the 

 disease the more violent symptoms occur in paroxysms, and the least 

 noise or disturbance serves to induce them. In the quiescent jjeriods 

 the animal appears dull and drowsy. The urine is frequently ejected 

 in spurts and strong efforts are made to pass manure. In subacide 

 meningitis the symptoms will develop more slowly and be less marked 

 by violence. The sensor}' functions may not be much interfered with 

 until the near approach of death. In such attacks the animal may 

 suffer for a week or longer and ultimately recover. In meningitis the 

 temperature varies from IDS'" to 107° F., according to the severity of 

 the attack. 



The violent symptoms of this disease must not be confounded with 

 those of rabies. In the latter the violence is directed at some object or 

 ui)on the animal himself; in the former no malice is shown toward the 

 attendant or surrounding objecl^s, but is simply the manifestation 

 of excruciating jDain in the head. Meningitis may be distinguished 

 from encephalitis and cerebritis bj^ the absence of marked localized 

 paralytic sjnnptoms, or of coma, until the near aj^proach of death. It 

 is characterized by violence, increased sensibility, and delirium. 



CEREBRITIS — INFLAMMATION OF THE BRAIN SUBSTANCE. 



Causes. — The causes giving rise to this disease are very numerous. 

 Among them may be mentioned all those named heretofore as causing 

 encephalitis and meningitis, cystic and calcareous tumors, thrombi, 

 urpemic poisoning, metastatic abscesses, septic infection, etc. 



Symptoms. — Cerebritis, when unaccompanied by other disease, is 

 seldom recognized as such during life. It is alwaj^s localized in extent, 

 and the symptoms manifested depend upon the location of the organic 

 change for their character. The symptoms, therefore, are as varied 

 as the causes; they are usually of slow development and persistent. 

 A'ertigo or giddiness ma}^ be regarded as a constant symptom. The 

 animal may stop on the road, shake his head, or stagger, api^arently 

 undecided in what direction to go. There may be contraction of the 

 pupils, cramp of the muscles on the side of the neck or face, ftulse 

 small and hard and variable in frequency, often, however, slower 

 than normal. The temperature is slightly increased, the respira- 

 tions may be slow and deep, the appetite capricious, bowels consti- 

 pated; rapid emaciation is a common symptom. Such conditions may 

 be apparent for a week or two Aveeks; then the horse may become 

 comatose. The pu^iils dilate, the jjulse becomes intermitting, swal- 

 lowing difficult, the muscles which were previousl}^ rigid become 

 i-elaxed and paralyzed, and the urine may either be retained or be dis- 

 charged involuntarily. In this way the animal may survive another 

 week and then die in a jjaralyzed and unconscious state. Not infre- 

 quently, however, few of those symptoms are manifested, for in some 

 cases the paralysis is sudden from extensive lesions of the brain, and 

 the animal may die within twenty-four hours. ' 



