FITS. 407 
may be applied, but it is an incurable disease, though not always 
destroying life. 
FITS. 
Fits are of three kinds—first, those arising from irritation, espe- 
cially in the puppy, and known as convulsive fits; second, those 
connected with pressure on the brain, and being of the nature of 
apoplexy ; and third, epileptic fits, which may occur at all ages, and 
even at intervals throughout the whole life of the animal. 
Convulsive fits are generally produced by the irritation of denti- 
tion, and occur chiefly at the two periods when the teeth are cut, 
that is, in the first month, and from the fifth to the seventh. 
They come on suddenly, the puppy lying on its side, and being 
more or less convulsed, the extent and severity of the struggling 
‘being no indication of the amount of the disease. There is no 
foaming at the mouth, and the recovery from them is gradual, in 
both these points differing from epilepsy. The only treatment at all 
likely to be of service is the use of the hot bath, which in young 
and delicate puppies may sometimes give relief. Fits arising in 
‘distemper are caused by absolute mischief in the brain, unless 
they occur as a consequence of worms, which will also produce 
them at other times, and are nearly as often the cause as teething. 
In such cases, these parasites being removed, the fits cease. 
In apoplectic fits the dog lies insensible, or nearly so, without 
foaming at the mouth, but snoring and breathing heavily. Here 
the treatment must be conducted by taking away blood from the 
neck-vein, afterwards purging by means of croton oil, and inserting 
a seton in the back of the neck. The attack, however, is gene- 
rally fatal, in spite of the most scientific treatment. 
Epilepsy may be distinguished by the blueness of the lips and 
gums, and by the constant champing of the jaws and frothing at 
the mouth, which constantly accompany its attacks. The fit comes 
on without any notice, frequently in sporting-dogs while they 
are at work, a hot day being specially provocative of it. In the 
pointer and setter the fit almost always occurs just after a “ point,” 
the excitement of which seems to act upon the brain in producing 
it. The dog falls directly the birds are sprung, and after lying 
struggling for a few minutes, or perhaps a quarter of an hour, 
