205 



affected leg is very violent, and when it is lowered to the ground 

 the motion is equally sudden and forcible, striking the foot to the 

 ground like a pile-driver. Very rarely chorea may be found to affect 

 one of the fore legs, or the muscles of one side of the neck or the 

 upper j)art of the neck. Involuntary jerking of the muscles of the hip 

 or thigh is seen occasionallj^, and is termed shivering by horsemen. 



Chorea is often associated with a nervous disposition, and is not so 

 frequent in animals with a sluggish temperament. The involuntary 

 muscular contractions cause no pain, and do not appear to produce 

 much exhaustion of the affected muscles, although the jerking may 

 be regular and persistent whenever the animal is in motion. 



Treatment. — In a few cases, early in the appearance of this affection, 

 general nerve tonics may be of benefit, viz., iodide of iron, 1 dram; 

 pulverized nux vomica, 1 dram; pulverized Scutellaria, 1 ounce. Mix, 

 and give in the feed once a day for two weeks. If the cause is con- 

 nected with organic brain lesions treatment is usually unsuccessful, 



EPILEPSY — FALLING FITS. 



The cause of epilepsy is seldom traceable to any special brain lesions. 

 In a few cases it accompanies disease of the pituitary bodj', which is 

 located in the under surface of the brain. Softening of the brain may 

 give rise to this affection. Attacks may occur only once or twice a 

 year, or they may be of frequent recurrence. 



Synqjtoms. — No premonitory symptoms precede an epileptic fit. 

 The animal suddenly staggers; the muscles become cramped; the jaws 

 may be spasmodically oi^ened and closed, and the tongue become 

 lacerated between the teeth; he foams at the mouth and falls down 

 in a spasm. The urine flows away involuntarily, and the breath- 

 ing may be temporarily arrested. The paroxysm soon passes off, and 

 the animal gets on his feet in a few minutes after the return of con- 

 sciousness. 



Treatment. — Dashing cold water on the head during the paroxysm. 

 After the recovery 1 dram of oxide of zinc may be given in his feed 

 twice a day for several weeks, or benefit may be derived from the tonic 

 prescribed for chorea. 



COMA — SLEEPY STAGGERS. 



This condition, like that of spasm and convulsion, is generally not 

 a disease, but merely a symptom manifested as a result of a variety 

 of brain affections, such as atrophj-, chronic meningitis, with effusion, 

 tumors in the lateral ventricles, etc. Another form of coma is that 

 which accompanies acute diseases of the brain, wherein the animal 

 may be unconscious, with sterterous breathing, difficult respiration, 

 etc. We meet, however, with a type of coma in horses whicli can not 

 easily be attributed to any special disease of the brain, unless it be 

 a modified form of congestion, which is sometimes ameimble to treat- 



