189 



the treatment must be supplauted with the hypodermic injection of 

 ergotioj in 5 grain doses, dissolved in a dram of water, every six 

 hours. The limbs may bo poulticed above the fetlocks with mustard. 

 Cold water or ice-bags should now take the x^lace of the hot-water cloths 

 on the head. Warm blauketiog, to promote perspiration, is to be ob- 

 served 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 tcnics, with such incidental 

 treatment as special symptoms may demand. Iodide of potassium in 

 2-dram doses should be given twice a day, and 1 dram of calomel 

 once a day, to induce absorption of effusions or thickened membranes. 

 Tonics, in the form of iodide of iron in 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. In all cases, after the 

 disajipearauce of the acute symptoms, blisters (cantharides ointment) 

 should bo applied behind the poll. When paralytic effects remain after 

 the disapiiearance of all other symptoms, sulphate of strychnia in 2-graiu 

 doses, in combination with the other tonics, may be given twice a day, 

 and be continued until it produces muscular twitching. In some cases 

 of paralysis, as of the lips or throat, benefit may be derived from, the 

 moderate use of the electric battery. Many of the recoveries will, how- 

 ever, under the most active and early treatment, be but partial, and in 

 all cases the animals become predisposed to subsequent attacks. A 

 long jieriod of time should be allowed to i)ass before the animal is ex- 

 posed to severe work or great heat. When 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, urtemic poison- 

 ing? pyaemia, influenza, rheumatism, toxic agents, etc., they should 

 receive prompt attention for their removal or mitigation. 



Cerebral softening, abscess, or sclerosis, are practically inaccessible 

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

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

 sis is largely presumptive. 



CONaESTION OF THE BRAIN — MEGRIMS. 



Congestion of the brain consists in an accumulation of blood in the 

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

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

 diminished arterial resistance, and passive when it accumulates in the 

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



Causes. — Active cerebral congestion may be due to hypertrophy of 

 the left ventricle of the heart, excessive exertion, the influence of ex- 

 treme heat, sudden and great excitement, artificial stimulants, etc. 

 Passive congestion may be produced by any mechanical obstruction 

 which prevents the proper return of blood through the veins to 4;he 

 heart, such as small or ill-fitting collar, which often impedes the blood 



