Diseases of the Nervous System. 231 
collar, if worn, should be removed. In epilepsy the owner 
should first secure the sufferer to prevent his running 
away, and as soon as the fit is over cold water should be 
applied to the head, protection from the sun being 
meanwhile secured. A dose of purgative medicine should 
speedily follow, and perfect quietude must be enjoined. 
The dieting, &ec., must be careful, regular meals and 
digestible food in moderate quantity being allowed; the 
nervous irritation and resulting fever may be controlled 
by regular doses of chloral hydrate, or belladonna. In 
chronic cases the blister or a seton may be. advisable, 
applied to the head, or the continued internal adminis- 
tration of bromide of potassium, nitrate of ‘silver, or 
sulphate of iron. 
Neuralgia.—It is beyond all doubt that dogs under 
-certain circumstances are occasionally liable to neuralgia. 
The victim of the malady is seized very suddenly, the 
violent pain being indicated by fits of howling or scream- 
ing, arising suddenly during states of apparent ease and 
composure. The head is drawn towards the side or 
upwards, the animal gradually rising upon the hind feet, 
finally falling over, and remaining on the ground, crying 
with intense pain. 
Apoplexy.—This disease is common to the hot 
months of summer when dogs are put to severe exertion. 
It also follows sunstroke, especially in long and tedious 
cases. Tightly fitting collars, and heavy chains, espe- 
cially when the dog pulls heavily, or when the neck is 
short, are common causes. Plethoric and idle dogs, 
especially when old, are predisposed to the disease. It 
occurs as an effect of severe straining in parturition; but 
it may depend also upon sudden suppression of milk 
immediately before, or at the time of giving birth, when 
the animal is too plethoric, or as a result of removing 
the young, and of constipation, 
Sympioms.—In the early or partial stages of uncon- 
sciousness, the pulse is slow and full, the eyes are blood- 
shot and fixed, and the pupil dilated ; breathing heavy 
and stertorous. The animal is sometimes delirious. 
Treatment.—Blood should be abstracted from the 
