49 



action" (Tennent). We liave elsewhere dealt with many of the 

 mental and moral qualities of the elephant and wo may conclude 

 that he is a very nervous animal. Several serious diseases and 

 derangements assume the form of Phkensy. Musthee, Inflamma- 

 tion of the skin of the forehead and of the lining membrane of 

 the Facial sinuses have been dealt with. In some phases of 

 Anthrax fury sets in and renders the animal dangerous. But by 

 far the most serious form of phrensy is Encephalitis, Inflamma- 

 tion of the Brain arid its Ttiemhranea. Symptoms — -The attack is 

 ushered in by excitement as manifested by restlessness, frequent 

 lying and rising, and struggling to free himself, loss of custom- 

 ary obedience to the keeper, frequent shifting of the body, 

 general tremors. Fever runs high and the trunk is contracted. 

 There is frequent stretching and elevation of the trunk, conjunctiva 

 congested, eyeballs protruding. The animal in this stage is 

 furious and unapproachable but evidently unconscious of the 

 mischief he is doing. After a time he loses power over the limbs, 

 falls and is unable to rise, and shortly the case tei'minates 

 fatally. Causes — High feeding ; too free use of stimulants with 

 a view to supporting the strength of the animal during arduous 

 labour (Gilchi'ist), exposure to the sun, aud extension of inflam- 

 mation from the membrane lining the sinuses, are the principal. 

 Treatment is diflicult on account of the fury of the animal. It 

 consists in prompt and large abstraction of blood, constant 

 application of ice and cold water to the head, free administration 

 of purgatives and powerful febrifuges — opium is to be avoided as 

 tending to increase the determination of blood to the brain. 



Apoplexy, in its preliminary stages resembles the above but 

 there is conf iised action rather than fury. When, on the march 

 under a hot sun, the animal commences to walk with uncertain 

 staggering gait, and to tremble, to breathe hurriedly, and the 

 trunk to lengthen and contract spasmodically, it is probable that 

 some of the vessels of the brain have given, way. The patient 

 after a short time falls and becomes comatose, all power of sensation 

 and motion being lost. The limbs perhaps quiver convulsively, 

 and the animal rests on his side ; enormous quantities of urine 

 frequently are passed. Death may at once ensue or slow 

 recovery take place. Treatment consists in the adoption of 

 measures recommended for Encephalitis, than which this disease 



