Diseases of the Nervous System. 267 
the poor dog; but. which, I am happy to say, is usually 
made, not by veterinarians, but by misguided policemen, 
with the usual mob to back them up. I remember reading, 
some few years since, in a leading paper, of madness in 
dogs, in which article the writer, if he had been a profes- 
sional man, could not have more faithfully described the 
leading symptoms of epilepsy. Sudden reeling, falling over, 
foaming at the mouth, and convulsions are not diagnostic - 
of rabies. Hence, it is from the mistake these symptoms 
engender, from not being understood, that a panic is, from 
time to time, created in otherwise peaceful districts by 
such newspaper headings as “A mad dog at large,” “ Out- 
break of rabies, exciting scene,” and such like. 
Not long ago I was walking to town with a young mastiff- 
dog. Soon after starting he vomited a quantity of worms ; 
half a mile farther on an epileptic fit seized him, and being 
on a main road, innumerable suggestions of rabies were 
offered, with kind offers of destruction. However, the animal 
was secured by his chain to a post, a cold water douche given, 
and shortly afterwards a gig conveyed him safely home. 
' Epilepsy may take place at any age ; but youth and old 
age are the two most susceptible periods. 
Predisposing Causes.—Hereditary disposition, nervous: 
irritability, general debility, suckling large families. 
Exciting Causes. — Worms, dentition, suppression of 
natural secretions and evacuations, sudden fear or excite-. 
ment, over-exertion after feeding, rapid exertion in obese: 
condition,and toomuch flesh meat—especially in young dogs.. 
Symptoms.—Epilepsy, as a rule, is not-ushered in by any 
premonitory warning. The animal, apparently in perfect 
health, is in a. moment seized with a fit, and this generally 
occurs during locomotion. He.suddenly reels, as though 
intoxicated; falls on his side; and violent convulsive spasms 
attack the voluntary muscles; especially of the limbs, which 
keep up-a continuous kicking motion. Frequently a sharp 
cry escapes the animal when he falls, and these are at times 
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