Abscess of the Brain. 125 



but secures elimination of toxic matters by both skin and kidneys. 

 Cold pure water should be constantly within reach. 



A most important thing in the horse is to put him in slings, if 

 he is at all able to stand with their assistance. In decubitus he 

 rests on his side, with the head on the ground, 'a-nd lower than 

 the splanchnic cavities. The result is a gravitation of blood to- 

 ward -the head. In the sling, with the head fairly raised the 

 gravitation is the other way and the head is depleted. If the 

 patient is too ill to be maintained in the sling, he may be packed 

 up with bundles of straw on each side, so that his breast may lie 

 on a thickly littered bed, and his head may be elevated. 



When convalescence sets in care must be taken to nourish with 

 non-stimulating, easily digested foods, gruels, soft mashes, pulped 

 or finely sliced roots. In vomiting animals rectal alimentation 

 may become necessary. The rise of cranial temperature or the 

 aggravation of brain symptoms should be met as needed by the 

 local application of cold, and potassium iodide and iron or bitter 

 tonics may be given if they do not interfere with digestion. 



ABSCESS OF THE BRAIN. 



Infection, in traumas, meningitis, encephalitis, strangles, etc. Symp- 

 toms : evidence of trauma, chill, hypersesthesia, irritability, drowsiness, 

 giddiness, stupor, spasms, paresis, coma, dilated pupils, congested mucosae, 

 vomiting, location indicated by muscular groups involved. Treatment : 

 As in meningitis : trephining in hopeful cases. 



The formation of abscess in the cranial cavity has been re- 

 ferred to in connection with injuries to the cranium and meningo- 

 encephalitis. It may here be said in general terms that this ab- 

 scess is a product of infection. In the horse the most common 

 cause is strangles, and especially such cases as run a tardy or ir- 

 regular course with imperfect softening and limited suppuration 

 in the submaxillary or pharyngeal region. It is to be looked on 

 as an extension of the purulent infection so as to cause a second- 

 ary abscess. The same may occur in case of ordinary abscess in 

 any distant organ. In the brain as elsewhere suppuration may 

 result from direct local injury as in the case of blows by clubs, 

 or yokes, running against walls or posts, falls, the effects of but- 



