218 



entirely lost, and the animal lias no fever, pain, or nneonscions move- 

 ments. Generally the animal v.ill hegin to improve ahont llie fonrth 

 day and recover. 



In a few eases the spinal symptoms, manifested hy pai-aplet;ia, may 

 be the most prominent symptoms; in others the}' may he altogether 

 absent and the main sj'mptonis be difficnlty in mastication and swal- 

 lowing; rarely it maj" affect one limb only. In all cases where coma 

 remains absent for six or seven daj^s the animal is likely to recover. 

 When changes toward recovery take place, the symptoms nsually 

 leave in the reverse order in which they develoi^ed, bnt local paral3'sis 

 may remain for some time, rarelj^ persistent. 



One attack does not give immnnity, for it may recur at some later 

 time and prove fatal. Horses have been known to i)ass through three 

 attacks, being aifected for a week or longer each time. 



Treaimenf. — In the worst class of cases treatment is very seldom 

 successful, and it is dangerous to attemi^t the administration of medi- 

 cine by the mouth, on account of the inability of the animal to swal- 

 low. Cold shower baths may i)ossibly induce reviilsive action in 

 connection with stimulants per rectum, 4 to G ounces of whiskj^ in 

 2 pints of milk; the inhalation of ammonia vapor from a sponge 

 saturated with dilute acxua ammonia may arouse consciousness. 



In the second class of cases the treatment recommended by Professor 

 Large consists in giving a cathartic composed of 1 ounce of aloes and 

 the administration of 1 to 2 drams of the solid extract of belladonna, 

 alternated eveiy three hours with 30 drops of tincture of aconite root, 

 and the aiDplication of blisters to the neck, spine, and tliroat. When 

 the animal is unable to swallow, one-fourth-grain doses of sulphate of 

 atroj)ia may be injected nnder the skin every four, six, or eight hours, 

 as the case may demand. The atropia is a heart stimulant, increases 

 capillar}^ circulation, and quiets pain and excitability. This treat- 

 ment has been followed by very gratifying results in the hands of Pro- 

 fessor Large and others. When the most prominent symptoms abate 

 give such food as they may be able to eat, keep fresh, cool water con- 

 stantly lief ore them, support them in slings if necessary ; clean stabling 

 and plenty of fresh air are of the utmost importance. 



Paihohxjij. — Post mortem examination reveals more or less conges- 

 tion of the blood vessels at the base of the brain, effusion in the 

 ventricles and in the subarachnoid space both in the cranial and the 

 spinal cavities. Plastic exudation is often found adherent to the pia 

 mater of the brain, anterior part of the spinal cord, and in the region 

 of the loins. The brain and cord appear softened in some cases wiiere 

 the greatest evidence of inflammatory action existed. 



Hygienic measures neeilfuJ. — Whenever this disease ajipears in a 

 stable all the animals should be removed as soon as possible. They 

 should be provided with clean, well-A^entilated, and well-drained 

 stables, and each animal should receive 1 dram of the extract or half 



