DISEASES OF THE NERVOUS SYSTEM. I05 



In meningitis the temperature varies from 103° to 107° F., according 

 to the severity of the disease. 



Do not confound the violent symptoms of this disease with hydropho- 

 bia (rabies). In hydrophobia the animal directs his violence toward 

 some object or upon himself; but in this desire there is only the evidence 

 of severe pain, in the head. Meningitis may be distinguished from en- 

 cephalitis and cerebritis by there not being any marked symptoms of 

 paralysis of local parts or of coma till near the approach of death. 



Teatment. See treatment under head "General Treatment for In- 

 flammation of the Various Brain Structures. ' ' 



Cerebritis. Inflammation of the brain substance has many causes. 

 Those that produce either of the two last, together with cystic and cal- 

 careous tumors, thrombi, ursemic poisoning, etc. 



Symptoms. When not in connection with other diseases this disease 

 is seldom recognized during life. It is always confined to some specific 

 portion of the brain, and the symptoms vary according to the part affect- 

 ed. The treatment as given below will be all that can be usually done. 

 As it would not be recognized except by an expert it is unnecessary to 

 give a list of the symptoms. 



General Treatment for Inflammation of the Various 

 Brain Structures. "When the animal is found in the first stages of 

 the disease, where the animal is unnaturally excited or has stupor with 

 high temperature and quickened pulse bleed from the jugular vein. 

 Especially in acute meningitis, bleeding is imperatively demanded. The 

 finger should be kept on the pulse, and the blood allowed to flow until 

 there is a marked fluttering or softening of the pulse. As soon as the 

 animal recovers somewhat from the shock of the bleeding, the following 

 medicine should be made into a ball or dissolved in a pint of warm water 

 and be given at one dose: barbadoes aloes, seven drams; calomel, two 

 drams; powdered ginger, one dram; tincture of aconite, twenty drops. 



The animal should be placed in a cool, dark place, as free from noise 

 as possible, and cloths wrung out of hot water placed on his head. Re- 

 new frequently for twelve hours. When the animal becomes thirsty 

 half an ounce of saltpeter may be dissolved in his drinking water every 

 six hours. Inject warm water into the rectum to aid the action of the 

 physic. Norwood's tincture of veratrum viride, in twenty drop 

 doses, should be given every hour, and one dram of solid extract of 

 belladonna every four hours, until the symptoms become modified and 

 the pulse regular and full. 



