DISEASES OF THE BRAIN AND NERVOUS SYSTEM. 119 



found to be of a dark color, offensive and ropy, due to the rapid decom- 

 position of urea, caused by unhealthy secretions from the walls of the 

 bladder. I have met with one or two cases in geldings in which 

 priapism was present; and in mares signs of oestrum are almost always 

 apparent, with intense congestion of the mucous membrane of the 

 vagina. 



The Ireatldng is more or less stertorous, seeming to depend upon the 

 depth of the coma. 



In the diagnosis, this fever should never be confounded with spinal 

 meningitis or acute paralysis, which occurs at all times of the year, and 

 in isolated cases, presenting much the same symptoms as the fever; but 

 it is not so malignant, and approaches much more gradually, and, ex- 

 cept in cases arising from mechanical injury, generally follows some 

 other disease, such as rheumatism, purpura hsemorrhagia, severe influ- 

 enza, etc. It is indicace dby rapid prostration, followed by paralysis 

 with usual but not constant constipation. The pulse and temperature 

 are not guides during t le early stages. 



The lorognosis should in all cases be guarded, but the more rapidly 

 the disease develops itself, the more reason have we to dread its results. 

 The malady progressing, the unfavorable symptoms are, deep coma, ab- 

 normally slow pulse, cold extremities, and labored breathing. 



Treatment. —The supply of blood to the spinal cord is undoubtedly 

 too great, and must be lessened; but this cannot be safely accomi^lished 

 by bleeding in these cases. The first thing is, if possible, to raise the 

 patient, and put it into a comfortable sling, or if it be unconscious, so 

 that this is impossible, make a large thick bed of straw, place the patient 

 on it, and see that it is carefully rubbed and turned as often as every 

 two hours. This must be strictly attended to, for the position of the 

 animal, as well as the disease, tends to improper circulation of the blood, 

 from which nothing but bad results can be expected. Unless the pa- 

 tient is slung within twenty-four hours from time of attack, there is but 

 slight hope for a recovery. Having got it into the sling, the treatment 

 is (if the horse will bear it without showing signs of irritation) to have it 

 well rubbed down with a brush, especially about the extremities; it must 

 be well clothed, and its legs dry bandaged with flannel cloths. The ap- 

 petite, if the horse is conscious, is generally good. It should be allowed 

 a fair quantity of good soft food, such as boiled oats, carrots, etc., and a 

 small quantity of hay; remembering always that the bowels are apt to be 



