514 ILLUSTRATED STOCK DOCTOR. 



No. 43. 1 Oz. nitrate of potash, 



15 Drops tincture of aconite, 



1 Pint of water. 



The animal must be kept comfortable, according to the season, and 

 have a plentiful supply of fresh air and cold water. 



If there are no indications of relief within four hours, give the following 

 draught : 



No. 44. 4 Oz. solution of acetate of ammonia, 



10 Drops tincture of aconite, 

 12 Oz of water. 



Repeat this after eight hours, and then leave off the aconite, but con- 

 tinue to give, at intervals, the acetate of ammonia in water. 



If the disease has reached an advanced stage, and the cavity of the 

 pericardium is largely filled with Avater, it is scarcely to be hoped that the 

 animal may be saved ; but even in that case the course here prescribed 

 should be adopted, unless there is some more general disorder under such 

 treatment as will render it unnecessary or objectionable. 



II. Dropsy of the Brain. 



Causes. — The remote cause of this disease (known also as hydrocepha- 

 lus), is some constitutional disorder of the brain, or of its membranous 

 covering — chiefly, as is believed, a scrofulous tendency. The immediate 

 causes, or the excitants to its development, are various, as castration, foot 

 puncture, staggers, acute diseases of the stomach, defective nutrition, etc. 



How to know it. — At first an unnatural sleepiness will appear, with ap- 

 parent unconsciousness and a tendency to reel when moving on foot. 

 The pupil of the eye is perceptibly dilated ; the animal breathes in a 

 hard and grunting way ; he tosses his head about and throws it upward 

 or backward, as though in much pain. When down, with neck lying 

 prone, as is often the case, he will sometimes raise his head, then drop it 

 spasmodically, beating it upon the ground. If unrelieved, convulsion* 

 finally set in, and death ensues. 



MVhat to do. — If the head is hot with fever, denoting an acute attack, 

 aponge frequently with cold water, and see that the bowels are kept mod- 

 erately open. If there is decided constipation, as is sometimes the case, 

 use an injection of soap-suds at intervals, until the bowels are moved. 

 Then give the following in doses of 2 ounces, morning and evening: 



No. 45. 4 Oz. fluid extract of buchu, 



2 Oz. iodide of potassium, 

 6 Oz. water. 



