Diseases of the Nervous System. 253 



torpid. The symptoms are Kke those of stomach staggers 

 without the abdominal disorder. 



The animal may recover so as to work well in winter, 

 while utterly useless in summer, and this state may last 

 for several years. A complete recovery is rare and yet it 

 is occasionally seen, everything depending on the struct- 

 ural changes existing. But even in the incurable casea 

 the progress may be retarded by treatment. 



Treatment. In hot weather keep in a cool well-aired 

 place, or in the open air in the shade. Grive soft laxative 

 diet, free access to cold water and an occasional purgative 

 (sulphate of soda). A course of tonics (iron, nux vomica, 

 gentian,) and diuretics (digitahs, iodide of potassium, 

 bromide of potassium,) are often useful. Blisters may be 

 appHed to the neck or limbs if there seems to be effusion. 

 The correction of any existing disorder in the lungs, liver 

 or kidneys, will increase the prospects of cure; when 

 weU enough to use, such horses should wear a breast-strap 

 in place of a collar, and should not be overdone. They 

 should never be used for breeding purposes. 



APOPIiEXY. 



Sudden loss of sensation and voluntary motion from 

 effusion on the brain, and associated with a turgid condi- 

 tion of the blood-vessels of the head and neck. 



Causes. It occurs in plethoric animals during exertion, 

 in those suffering from softening of the brain, the result 

 of plugging of the vessels with fibrinous clots, of concus- 

 sion, congestion, etc. The symptoms are congestion of the 

 head, dullness, heaviness, followed by complete paralysis, 

 sensory and motor, loud stertorous breathing, and dilata- 

 tion of the pupUs. 



Treatment. In the early stages, before the patient is 

 paralyzed, apply cold water or ice to the head, bleed from 

 the temporal artery (just behind the eye) or the jugulai 

 vein, keep perfectly quiet, and freely open the bowels. 

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