200 DISEASES OP THE HORSE. 



functions. The death may be due in many instances to the complete 

 stagnation in the circulation of the brain, inducing anemia, or want 

 of nourishment of that organ. In other cases it may be directly due 

 to the excessive compression of the nerve matter controlling the 

 heart's action, and cause paralysis of that organ. There are also 

 changes in the composition of the blood. 



Treatment. — Under no circumstances is bloodletting permissible in 

 sunstroke. Ice or very cold water should be applied to the head and 

 along the spine, and half an ounce of carbonate of ammonia or 6 

 ounces of whisky should be given in 1 pint of water. Cold water 

 should be showered upon the body of the horse from the hose or 

 otherwise. This should be continued until the temperature is down 

 to 103° F. Brisk friction of the limbs and the application of spirits 

 of camphor often yield good results. The administration of the stim- 

 ulants should be repeated in one hour if the pulse has not become 

 stronger and slower. In either case, Avhen reaction has occurred, 

 preparations of iron and general tonics may be given during conva- 

 lescence: Sulphate of iron, 1 dram; gentian, 3 drams; red cinchona 

 bark, 2 drams ; mix and give in the feed morning and evening. 



Prevention. — In very hot weather horses should have wet sponges 

 or light sunshades on the head when at work, or the head may be 

 sponged with cold Avater as many times a day as possible. Proper 

 attention should be given to feeding and watering, never in excess. 

 During the warm months all stables should be cool and well ven- 

 tilated, and if an animal is debilitated from exhaustive work or 

 disease he should receive such treatment as will tend to build up the 

 system. Horses should be permitted to drink as much water as they 

 want while they are at work during hot weather. 



An animal which has been aifected with sunstroke is very liable to 

 have subsequent attacks when exposed to the necessary exciting 

 causes. 



APOPLEXY, OR CEREBRAL HEMORRHAGE. 



Apoplexy is often confounded with cerebral congestion, but true 

 apoplexy always consists in rupture of cerebral blood vessels, with 

 blood extravasation and formation of blood clot. 



Causes. — Two causes are involved in the production of apoplexy, 

 the predisposing and the exciting. The predisposing cause is degen- 

 eration, or disease which weakens the blood vessel ; the exciting cause 

 is any one which tends to induce cerebral congestion. 



Symptoms. — Apoplexy is characterized by a sudden loss of sensa- 

 tion and motion, profound coma, and stertorous and difficult breath- 

 ing. The action of the heart is little disturbed at first, but soon be- 

 comes slower, then quicker and feebler, and after a little time ceases. 

 If the rupture is one of a small artery and the extravasation limited, 



Digitized by Microsoft® 



