ANEMIA OF THE BRAIN 437 



Medical.— In the early stages mild revulsives may be 

 administered, the object being to divert the blood from the 

 head to the intestinal tract. Magnesium sulphate (8.0-10.0) 

 may be given for this purpose or pilocarpin (0.00324-0.0081), 

 the latter subcutaneously. If the excitement is intense and 

 there are convulsions, morphin sulphate (0.0324-0.1944) may 

 be administered subcutaneously. If the animal is depressed, 

 narcotics should not be given, but cerebral stimulants admin- 

 istered: Caffein citrate (0.0324-0.1944) dissolved in normal 

 salt solution or distilled water; camphor in the form of the 

 spirit (0.5-1.0) given subcutaneously, or, diluted via the 

 mouth. Atropin sulphate (0.0005-0.001) is also useful as a 

 cerebral and heart stimulant, subcutaneously. If the hyper- 

 emia is due to pressure from enlarged glands or tumors, these 

 must be removed according to the rules of surgery. 



Surgical.— Jf the animal is strong and plethoric, vene- 

 section may be performed on the saphena veins withdrawing 

 from 3 to (> oz. of blood. Cold applications to the head in 

 the form of cold packs or ice-bags are useful but only in the 

 earliest stages, and should not be employed if the animal is 

 depressed. After convalescence is established, feed lightly 

 giving laxative foods, as mush and liver or oatmeal and 

 milk. 



ANEMIA OF THE BRAIN. CEREBRAL ANEMIA. 



Definition.— Anemia of the brain is a condition in which 

 there is a marked decrease from the normal in the amount 

 of blood in the brain and its membranes. It may be acute 

 or chronic. 



Etiology.— Acute anemia of the brain may follow severe 

 hemorrhage, or the too rapid withdrawal of fluid from the 

 abdominal or thoracic cavities as in paracentesis. It may 

 occur in thrombosis of the carotid arteries or in cardiac 

 diseases, as stenosis or valvular insufficiency. 



Chronic anemia of the brain is seen in chronic constitu- 

 tional diseases, and in diseases affecting the blood, as general 

 anemia and leukemia. Helminthiasis is a common cause. 



