276 The Management and Diseases of the Dog. 
Strict quietude should be observed throughout. The food 
should be plain and not excessive in quantity. 
The effects of concussion are often apparent for some 
considerable time afterwards, being usually exhibited in a 
wild unnatural stare of the eyes, with, from time to time, 
particularly after feeding, a reeling gait. , 
In such cases I recommend the insertion of a seton at 
the back of the head, small doses of aperient medicine 
pretty frequently, and the daily administration of nux 
vomica. 
COMPRESSION OF THE BRAIN. 
Compression of the brain may arise from extravasated 
blood within the cranium, morbid growths in connection with 
the latter or its contents, the formation of pus or accumula- 
tion of serum within the cranial cavity or substance of the 
brain or by mere distension of the blood-vessels (conges- 
tion) ; but probably it more frequently occurs from frac- 
ture of the skull, with depression of the broken parts.* 
Symptoms.—Partial or complete coma, depending upon 
the seat and extent of compression. The breathing is slow» 
. laboured, and generally stertorous, pulse slow and some- 
times intermittent, eyes fixed, pupils dilated and insensible 
to light ; the limbs are relaxed and motionless, the feces. 
and urine are frequently passed involuntarily. 
Treatment—To remove, if possible, the cause. Ifit arises 
from congestion of the brain—from mere distension of the 
bloodvessels—fulllocal bleeding, and theafter administration 
of stimulants, with aperient medicine, are the measures indi- 
cated. If from depression resulting from fracture, elevation 
of the broken parts will be necessary ; or, if from formation 
of pus or accumulation of serum, trephining may be ‘at- 
tempted as a dernier ressort. But whatever may be the 
cause, it is very important in the treatment adopted, to 
* See “ Fractures.” 
