201 



Prevention. — Young horses, wlien harnessed or bitted, for the first 

 few times, should not have their heads checked up high, for it fre- 

 quently causes them to rear up, and, being unable to control their 

 balance, they are liable to fall over sideways or backwards, thus 

 causing brain concussion when thej^ strike the ground. 



ANEMIA OF THE BRAIN. 



This is a physiological condition in sleep. 



Causes. — It is considered a disease or may give rise to disease when 

 the circulation and blood supijly of the brain are interfered with. In 

 some diseases of the heart the brain becomes ansemic, and fainting 

 fits occur, with temjjorary loss of consciousness. Tumors growing 

 within the cranium may i^ress upon one or more arteries and stop the 

 supply of blood to certain i)arts of the brain, thus inducing anaemia, 

 ultimately atrojihy, softening, or sujDpuration. Probably the most 

 frequent cause is found in plugging or occlusion of the arteries by a 

 blood-clot. 



Symptoms. — Imperfect vision, constantly dilated pupils, frequently 

 a feeble and staggering gait, and occasionally cramps, convulsions, 

 or epileptic fits occur. « 



Patliology. — The exact opposite of cerebral hyperaemia. The blood- 

 vessels are found emj)ty, the membranes blanched, and the brain 

 substance softened. 



Treatment. — Removal of the remote cause when i^ossible. General 

 tonics, nutritious food, rest, and removal from all causes of nervous 

 excitement. 



ATROPHY OF THE BRAIX. 



This condition is i)roduced by a fault in nutrition, embracing the 

 causes which induce anaemia. Gradual absorj^tion and shrinking of 

 brain substance maj^ arise from the constant and increasing pressure 

 arising from the growth of tumors, degeneration in the arterial walls^ 

 hydrocephalus, etc. Atrophy of the brain may be general or local- 

 ized. The cerebrum may waste away in a remarkable degree before 

 any indication of disease becomes manifest. 



Symptoms. — It maj^ give rise to viciousness, paralysis, disorders of 

 special sensation, coma, etc. Treatment is of no avail. 



HYDROCEPHALUS — BRAIN DROPSY. 



This disease is most often seen in young foals and is manifested 

 by an unnaturall}^ large forehead. The forehead bulges out, and the 

 cranial bones may be separated from their connections, and a part of 

 the brain be covered by the skin only. Foals seldom survive this 

 affection, and treatment is useless. In horses hj-drocephalus is a 

 result of chronic meningitis, when an efi'usion of serum is i)oured out 

 59G1 — HOR 7* 



