DISEASES OF THE BRAIN. 197 



20-drop doses, should be given every hour and 1 dram of solid extract 

 of belladonna every four hours until the symptoms become modified 

 and the pulse regular and full. 



If this treatment fails to give relief, the disease will pass into the 

 advanced stages, or, if the animal has been neglected in the early 

 stages, the treatment must be supplanted with the hj^podermic injec- 

 tion of ergotin, in 5-grain doses, dissolved in 1 dram of water, every 

 six hours. The limbs may be poulticed above the fetlocks Avith mus- 

 tard. Warm blanketing, to promote perspiration, is to be observed 

 in all cases in which there is no excessive perspiration. 



If the disease becomes chronic (encephalitis or meningitis) , we must 

 place our reliance upon alteratives and tonics, with such incidental 

 treatment as special symptoms may demand. Iodide of potassium in 

 2-dram doses should be given three times a day and 1 dram of calo- 

 mel once a day to induce absorption of effusions or thickened mem- 

 branes. Tonics, in the form of iodide of iron in 1-dram doses, to 

 which is added 2 drams of powdered hydrastis, may also be given 

 every six or eight hours, as soon as the active fever has abated. 

 After the disappearance of the acute symptoms, blisters (cantharides 

 ointment) may be applied behind the poll. ^Vlien paralytic effects 

 remain after the disappearance of all other symptoms, sulphate of 

 strychnia in 2-grain doses, in combination with the other tonics, may 

 be given twice a daj^, and be continued until it produces muscular 

 twitching. In some cases of paralysis, as of the lips or throat, bene- 

 fit may be derived from the moderate use of the electric battery. 

 Many of the recoveries will, however, under the most active and early 

 treatment, be but partial, and in all cases the animals becomfe predis- 

 posed to subsequent attacks. A long period of time should be allowed 

 to pass before the animal is exposed to severe work or great heat. 

 AVhen the disease depends upon mechanical injuries, they have to be 

 treated and all causes of irritation to the brain removed. If it is due 

 to stable miasma, uremic poisoning, pyemia, influenza, rheumatism, 

 toxic agents, etc., they should receive prompt attention for their 

 removal or mitigation. 



Cerebral softening, abscess, and sclerosis are practically inaccess- 

 ible to treatment, otherwise than such relief as may be afforded by 

 the administration of opiates and general tonics, and, in fact, the 

 diagnosis is largely presumptive. 



CONGESTION OF THE BRAIN, OR MEGRIMS. 



Congestion of the brain consists in an accum.ulation of blood in the 

 vessels, also called hyperemia, or engorgement. It may be active or 

 passive — active when there is an undue determination of blood or 

 diminished arterial resistance, and i3assive when it accumulates in the 

 vessels of the brain, owing to some obstacle to its return by the veins. 



