220 KENNEL DISEASES. 
CHAPTER II. 
CONVULSIONS. 
Amonc dogs, and especially in early life, convulsions, popularly called fits, 
are of frequent occurrence. 
Epilepsy is the term commonly used to designate such attacks by writers on 
canine diseases; but such application is open to objections unless properly re- 
stricted, for the so-called “falling disease ” is a chronic affection excepting in 
quite rare instances. In other words, a dog cannot rightly be said to have 
epilepsy until he has had several attacks of convulsions, and the same have 
recurred during fairly short intervals, and with some approach to regularity. 
Of the causes of convulsions in dogs, worms are by far the most common. 
The nervous systems of some breeds, especially those in which there has been 
much inbreeding, are highly strung and easily disordered, — even shattered, — 
and among such dogs, convulsions due to other causes than worms are liable to 
occur. They may be induced in any breed by indigestion, suckling large lit- 
ters, intense heat, terrorizing fear or fierce anger, and much meat if allowed 
without sufficient exercise. Puppies may have them during the teething period, 
and the attacks be due wholly to the process then going on; but fortunately 
such accidents are far from common. They may come on, also, in consequence 
of over-exertion immediately after feeding; and if a long and fast run be taken 
by a dog that is over-weight and too fat, he would likely fall in a fit. 
The liability to convulsions appears to be intensified when the general health 
is impaired, hence they are somewhat more common in cases of debility, poverty 
of the blood, etc., and especially while the system is in conflict with exhaust- 
ing diseases. In acute affections, notably distemper, the convulsive tendency 
seems decidedly increased. 
Numerous poisons, as strychnia and the like, have important places among 
the causes of convulsions. Such attacks also occur as symptoms of diseases 
and injuries of the brain and spine; and in irritations, derangements, and 
diseases of the internal organs, as kidneys, liver, etc., the liability of their hap- 
pening is somewhat increased. 
Finally, there comes the important fact that convulsions are contagious. 
That is, a dog not previously affected is singularly prone, through the force of 
imitation, to have convulsions on witnessing an attack in another dog. 
In some cases convulsions are preceded by twitchings of the face or limbs, 
