INJURIES TO THE BRAIN. 219 
solation in a small stick of caustic, which he can buy in a wooden holder, se- 
curely capped, for about a shilling. Let him carry this in his pocket, with his 
preventive for rheumatism, the horse-chestnut, and burn all bites of which he 
is a victim. He cannot do himself any harm, and if he uses it freely enough, 
it will provide a rare diversion,— at least while it is “taking hold well” — and 
he will have something else to think about besides hydrophobia. 
As for the delusion that rabies is more likely to occur in hot than in cold 
weather; summer’s heat is no more conducive to it than winter’s cold, but 
thirst is conducive to suspicious attacks. Let dogs be strangers to it, and pro- 
vided always with fresh, cool water in abundance, and symptoms suggestive of 
the dread malady will be, indeed, rare among them. 
INJURIES TO THE BRAIN. 
Concussion signifies a sudden shock and suspension of the functions of the 
brain. Such accident is rare among dogs, but may exist, and be caused by a 
blow on the head. 
Generally the victim lies for a time motionless and unconscious. If an 
attempt is made to arouse him, he opens his eyes, moves slightly, and is again 
insensible. After a time in this state his brain begins to recover itself. He 
grows restless, possibly vomits, and it is then not long before he is walking 
about ; but at first is quite unsteady. 
In the most severe cases of concussion the sufferer is, for an hour or more, 
unconscious of efforts to arouse him. His breathing is slow, pulse quick and 
feeble, and extremities cold. Vomiting rarely occurs in such. 
Death may follow concussion, or recovery may be only partial; the animal 
remaining physically infirm, with intelligence lessened. 
Active interference is not necessary. To keep the head cool and body warm 
is about all that is required; and beyond this the case should generally be left 
to nature. 
Compression of the brain is usually produced either by effusion of blood, by 
fracture of the skull with the bones forced in, or by the formation of pus or a 
watery fluid within the cranial cavity. 
The symptoms are substantially those of apoplexy. The treatment required 
is also much the same as in that accident; that is, in the absence of surgical 
assistance, which should of course be sought in severe cases. 
