CONVULSIONS. 221 
lasting, perhaps, a minute or a trifle longer; but as a rule, the attacks come on 
abruptly and without such warning signs. If the victim is at exercise, he stops 
suddenly, likely remains for an instant fixed, as it were, to the spot, his legs 
trembling, then he reels and falls, emitting a short, sharp cry or low moan. 
Possibly he immediately attempts to rise, but if so, falls again, becomes un- 
conscious, and convulsive movements commence at once. The head, limbs, 
and body jerk violently; the jaws are clamped; the tongue is sometimes caught 
between the teeth and bitten; and the mouth is filled with frothy saliva or 
foam, which is frequently tinged with blood from the wounded tongue. The 
eyes become prominent,— bulge, as commonly expressed. Respiration is either 
suspended altogether for a short time or is irregular and incomplete; and, in 
consequence, the mucous membrane of the lips and mouth becomes livid and 
congested; while involuntary discharges from the bladder and bowels occur in 
some instances. 
En passant, the nursing mother, whose pups are too severe a tax, may suffer 
from true convulsions, but in many instances her attacks are merely convulsive 
movements. 
When such movements are coming on, she usually pants for half an hour, or 
more, as she would have done had she taken a long run; then there are muscu- 
lar twitchings, and her legs grow stiff. If on her feet she is very unsteady, 
and it is not long before she falls on her side, with legs extended. If an effort 
is made to flex or bend them, they yield easily, but when the hands are re- 
moved they return to their extended and stiffened position. The twitching of 
the muscles grows gradually more pronounced and frequent; but the poor mother 
does not lose consciousness, and if called, will turn her head in the direction 
from whence the sound came, possibly whine and wag her tail, and, by the ex- 
pression of her eyes, give evidence that she fully retains her senses. All this 
time the panting has persisted; her head is very hot, and her condition gen- 
erally appears to be one of great discomfort. Frequently she gets up, and, 
moving about, exhibits a preference for cool, dark places. For an hour, and 
perhaps for two or three hours, the panting continues, so also the muscular 
twitchings. Finally these symptoms begin to subside; but it is quite a long 
time before they have entirely disappeared, and when she returns to her pups, 
she seems thoroughly tired out. But the following day she is quite herself, and 
likely remains well for several days, when she again suffers from a similar attack. 
A convulsion may be short and quickly over; as a rule, however, it lasts not 
less than two or three minutes, and may be prolonged for an hour, or even 
longer. 
The victim of convulsions may speedily regain complete consciousness, and 
in from five to ten minutes be moving about as though nothing unusual had 
occurred; but in some instances he passes into a profound stupor, in which he 
remains for half an hour or more. 
