222 DISEASES OF THE HORSE. 
our guide for the location of the cause, for it will be found that the 
paralysis occurs on the opposite side of the body from the location 
of the injury, and the parts suffering paralysis will denote, to an 
expert veterinarian or physician, the part of the brain which is 
suffering compression. 
Treatment.—Trephining, by a skillful operator, for the removal 
of the cause when due to depressed bone or the presence of foreign 
bodies. When the symptoms of compression follow other acute 
diseases of the brain, apoplectic fits, etc., the treatment must be such 
as the exigencies of the case demands. 
CONCUSSION OF THE BRAIN. 
This is generally caused by falling over backward and striking 
the poll, or perhaps falling forward on the nose, by a blow on the 
head, etc. Train accidents during shipping often cause concussion 
of the brain. ; 
Symptoms.—Concussion of the brain is characterized by giddi- 
ness, stupor, insensibility, or loss of muscular power, succeeding 
immediately upon a blow or severe injury involving the cranium. 
The animal may rally quickly or not for hours; death may occur on 
the spot or after a few days. When there is only slight concussion 
or stunning, the animal soon recovers from the shock. When more 
severe, insensibility may be complete and continue for a considerable 
time; the animal lies as if in a deep sleep; the pupils are insensible 
to light; the pulse fluttering or feeble; the surface of the body cold, 
muscles relaxed, and the breathing scarcely perceptible. After a 
variable interval partial recovery may take place, which is marked 
by paralysis of some parts of the body, often of a limb, the lips, ear, 
etc. Convalescence is usually tedious, and frequently permanent im- 
pairment of some organs remains. 
Pathology.—Concussion produces laceration of the brain, or at 
least a jarring of the nervous elements, which, if not sufficiently 
severe to produce sudden death, may lead to softening or inflamma- 
tion, with their respective symptoms of functional derangement. 
Treatment.—The first object in treatment will be to establish reac- 
tion or to arouse the feeble and weakening heart. This can often be 
accomplished by dashing cold water on the head and body of the ani- 
mal; frequent injections of weak ammonia water, ginger tea, or oil 
and turpentine should be given per rectum. In the majority of cases 
this will soon bring the horse to a state of consciousness. In more 
severe cases mustard poultices should be applied along the spine and 
above the fetlocks. As soon as the animal gains partial consciousness 
stimulants, in the form of whisky or capsicum tea, should be given. 
Owing to severity of the structural injury to the brain or the pos- 
sible rupture of blood vessels and blood extravasation, the reaction 
