230 KENNEL DISEASES. 
CHAPTER III. 
ACUTE MENINGITIS. 
Tue brain is enveloped by membranes or “meninges,” and these are gen- 
erally affected in cases of so-called inflammation of the brain. Hence that 
inflammation is termed meningitis; acute if recent, and chronic if of long 
standing. 
There is sound basis for the belief that dogs are quite frequent sufferers from 
acute meningitis ; moreover, that cases of it are very generally mistaken for rabies. 
Considering that there is widespread a most pitiable terror of the latter, that 
it is excited by the merest shadow of a pretext, that while it exists reason is 
dethroned, that there are many inseparable delusions, also that in certain stages 
it is extremely difficult to discriminate between it and simple acute meningitis, 
such mistakes cannot occasion any surprise. 
Among the known causes of this affection are blows on the head and con- 
sequent injuries to the brain, intense cold, sunstroke, frenzy from fear or anger, 
and extension of inflammation from adjacent parts. It has had its origin in 
diseases of the ears and eyes, and has occurred as a complication of certain 
constitutional diseases, notably distemper, which seems to create a decided 
predisposition to it. 
While now and then the cause can be determined with reasonable certainty, 
much the largest proportion of cases are of mysterious origin, and they develop 
without any indication whatsoever of even the direction in which it lays or the 
general nature of the cause. 
No age is exempt from the disease; but it seems to have a preference for 
mature subjects, and occurs more often among females than among males. 
In rare cases the victims of acute meningitis for several days appear to be 
ailing ; but, as a rule, the disease comes on quite abruptly. That is, the unfor- 
tunates may seem well in the morning, and suddenly, or within two or three 
hours, be manifestly very ill. 
In instances of gradual approach, the poor dogs are a bit restless, and in 
moving about carry their heads low. They turn from their food, and one or 
more attacks of vomiting occur with some of them. Their sleep is dreamy and 
disturbed ; and during it their legs twitch, and they emit at times short cries oy 
barks. On examination they are found to have a hot nose, some fever, and 
quite rapid pulse. 
