38 Veterinary Medicine, 



progress of the paroxysm. The position is only changed when 

 the muscles involved have become completely exhausted. Dur- 

 ing the attack the affected muscles are swollen and firm, so that 

 their outline may often be traced through the skin, later as the 

 attack subsides they become soft and flaccid. Voluntary move- 

 ment of the affected muscles is impossible until after the 

 paroxysm. The attack usually comes on suddenly and in this 

 respect resembles epilepsy ; at other times there are premonitory 

 symptoms of nervous anxiety, excitement or irritability. There 

 is usually considerable impairment of consciousness, intelligence, 

 common sensation, and even of the special senses. In a cataleptic 

 dog Frohner noted mental and motor troubles, considerable 

 anaesthesia, and loss of sight, smell, and hearing. The eyes are 

 fixed, the pupils either contracted or dilated, and the urine 

 passed may be albuminous or even icteric. 



Course, Duration. lyike other functional nervous disorders 

 this is extremely uncertain in its progress. There may be but 

 one attack or a succession ; they may last from a few minutes, 

 to 7 days (Frohner), or even several weeks (Hertwig) ; they 

 may end in recovery or less frequently they may prove fatal 

 usually by inanition. 



Treatment. During a seizure a sudden shock will sometimes 

 cut short the attack, douching with cold water, an inhalation of 

 ammonia, of capsicum or of snuff, or the application of electricity 

 in an interrupted current through the spine and affected muscles. 

 Ether anaesthesia will not always relax (Sinkler). Inhalation 

 of a few drops of nitrite of amyle has proved effective in man, as 

 has also the injection subcutem of three drops of a i per cent, 

 solution of nitro-glycerine ; apomorphine hypodermically is 

 usually effective (Sinkler). Bromide of potassium has also been 

 advised, and in case of coldness of the surface, a warm bath. 



When there is overloaded stomach and gastric indigestion an 

 emetic is indicated, and in constipation a purgative (for speedy 

 action chloride of barium or physostigma subcutem). 



In the intervals between attacks tonics and general hygiene 

 should be invoked to build up the weakened nervous system. 

 Quinine, and salts of iron, zinc or silver with a nourishing diet 

 and out door exercise are especially indicated. 



