2/6 The Management and Diseases of the Dog. 



Strict quietude should be observed throughout. The food 

 should be plain and not excessive in quantity. 



The effects of concussion are often apparent for some 

 considerable time afterwards, being usually exhibited in a 

 wild unnatural stare of the eyes, with, from time to time, 

 particularly after feeding, a reeling gait. 



In such cases I recommend the insertion of a seton at 

 the back of the head, small doses of aperient medicine 

 pretty frequently, and the daily administration of nux 

 vomica. 



COMPRESSION OF THE BRAIN. 



Compression of the brain may arise from extravasated 

 blood within the cranium, morbid growths in connection with 

 the latter or its contents, the formation of pus or accumula- 

 tion of serum within the cranial cavity or substance of the 

 brain or by mere distension of the blood-vessels (conges- 

 tion) ; but probably it more frequently occurs from frac- 

 ture of the skull, with depression of the broken parts.* 



Sympto7ns. — Partial or complete coma, depending upon 

 the seat and extent of compression. The breathing is slowr 

 laboured, and generally stertorous, pulse slow and some- 

 times intermittent, eyes fixed, pupils dilated and insensible 

 to light ; the limbs are relaxed and motionless, the faeces 

 and urine are frequently passed involuntarily. 



Treatment. — To remove, if possible, the cause. If it arises 

 from congestion of the brain — from mere distension of the 

 bloodvessels — fulllocalbleeding, and theafter administration 

 of stimulants, with aperient medicine, are the measures indi- 

 cated. If from depression resulting from fracture, elevation 

 of the broken parts will be necessary ; or, if from formation 

 of pus or accumulation of serum, trephining may be at- 

 tempted as a der7iier ressort. But whatever may be the 

 cause, it is very important in the treatment adopted, to 



* See " Fractures," 



