LIGHTNING STROKE— ELECTRIC STROKE 235 



scious for a few hours the reflexes react to stimuH; twitching 

 of muscles and roUing of the eyeballs appear. The animal 

 finally rises to its feet, and provided no injury to the motor 

 tracts has resulted, it appears normal. In the latter case 

 it may be left paralyzed. In severe cases the patient does 

 not regain consciousness and dies under convulsions. 



With the return of consciousness sometimes the animal is 

 left paralyzed; quite commonly the paralysis assumes the 

 form of a hemiplegia. However, depending upon what motor 

 tracts are involved, the form of paralysis will vary. 



Diagnosis. — ^When the history of injury is clear the diag- 

 nosis is not difficult. On the other hand if there is no 

 such history and no lesions about the head can be noted, a 

 contusion naight easily be confused with cerebral hemor- 

 rhage (apoplexy) or inflammation of the brain. The sudden 

 appearance of severe brain symptoms without fever is 

 significant in this regard. 



Prognosis. — Contusion of the brain in most cases leads 

 directly or indirectly to the death of the patient. Obviously 

 mild cases, when the animal has been only stunned, recover. 

 Many patients which do not die are left permanently crippled 

 through resulting paralysis. 



Treatment. — ^The head of the patient should be elevated 

 and cold applied to the poll. Excitants, such as ether or 

 camphor, may be used internaUy. After return to con- 

 sciousness the use of deep bedding or slings may be recom- 

 mendable, depending upon the individual case. 



LIGHTNING STROKE. ELECTRIC STROKE. 



By lightning or electric stroke we understand an injury 

 to nerve tissue produced by powerful currents of electricity. 

 In some instances no pathological change is found in the 

 tissue, the condition being functional. 



Occurrence. — ^Lightning stroke commonly occurs in the 

 open country, animals on pastiue being victims. In the 

 city horses occasionally come in contact with high-tension 

 wires which have fallen, upon the street. During the sum- 



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