Eclampsia. Convulsions. Spasms. 6i 



To arrest the spasms the best agent is amyle nitrite inhaled from 

 a handkerchief. It may be replaced by a mixture in equal parts 

 of chloroform and ether. Or rectal injections may be given 

 of chloral. Nitro-glycerine will sometimes cut short an attack or 

 prevent it. Small animals may have the body immersed in a 

 warm bath, and cold applied to the head. Congested buccal and 

 conjunctival mucosae would indicate cold to the head, while 

 pallor would suggest warm fomentations. 



When the fit is over the animal should be kept in a quiet, 

 dark place until the excitement or stupor has completely passed. 



ECLAMPSIA. CONVUIvSIONS. SPASMS. 



Definition : functional convulsions from peripheral irritation. From den- 

 tition, helminths, uterine disease, nursing (anaemia). Treatment. Injuries 

 to cranial bone. 



Eclampsia (convulsions) is difficult to define as distinct from 

 epilepsy, the present tendency however appears to be to apply 

 this term to cases in which the spasms are of a purely 

 functional nature as far as the brain is concerned and 

 caused by peripheral nervous irritation. Whereas in epilepsy 

 there is some organic disease or disorder of the brain itself. 

 Therefore the convulsions of anaemia, of teething, and of 

 parasitism, would come under this heading being curable by 

 the removal of the distant source of irritation, while the spas- 

 modic seizures, that are due to central nervous lesions and are 

 not exclusively dependent on peripheral irritation would be 

 classed as epilepsy. In other words reflex epilepsies with no 

 central brain disorganization would be classed as convulsions. 



Eclam-psia from Dentition is seen especially in young cats, 

 dogs and pigs when cutting-teeth, and may be obviated by 

 lancing the gums, extracting diseased or milk teeth entangled on 

 the crowns of their successors, and by a slight laxative with 

 bromides. 



Eclampsia from Helminthiasis has been already referred to 

 under epilepsy. The main object is the expulsion of the worms, 

 after which nerve sedatives and tonics will be valuable. 



