■208 DISEASES OF THE NERVOUS SYSTEM. 



ness, in which the animal falls back into a deep semicomatose con- 

 dition, and between these periods of quietness we very often see 

 automatic movements, such as quivering or twitching of one or 

 two of the legs ; also the corners of the mouth may be retracted. 

 Many cases either howl constantly, and at the same time seem to be 

 semicomatose, or they may bark hoarsely (delirium). As a rule, 

 the temperature is a little above normal. Within a short time 

 the animal becomes gradually paralyzed, losing all power of the 

 muscles. The patient is dull and unconscious of external influ- 

 ences. The breathing is rattling and stertorous. The pulse is 

 increased a number of beats, but is almost imperceptible to the 

 ti;uch. The temperature now begins to rise. In some cases the 

 temperature may remain normal, and in rare instances has fallen 

 below. As a rule, the animals die shortly after the convulsions 

 make their appearance. Complete recovery is very rare, and 

 slight attacks terminate as a rule either with paralysis (partial or 

 complete), idiotism, or blindness. 



Very similar symptoms to those already described appear in 

 cases of cysticercus cellulosse in the brain or its membranes. Sie- 

 damgrotzky found in the dura mater of both hemispheres of a 

 dog, which had suddenly developed symptoms of encephalitis and 

 which died in twenty-four hours, twenty-three sacs the size of a 

 pea. ' This is peculiar from the fact that the animal had been per- 

 fectly healthy up to twenty-four hours before its death, and had 

 not shown the slightest loss of intelligence or in muscular move- 

 ment. 



Therapeutics. The treatment of inflammation of the brain 

 corresponds with that of hypersemia of the brain. Rest, cold 

 applications to the head, clysters, laxatives, especially calomel. 

 In cases of great excitement sedatives (morphine, sulphate 0.02 

 subcutaneously, chloral hydrate 2.0 to 4.0 by the mouth or per 

 rectum in the form of clysters). The violent irritants which were 

 formerly used on the skin, such as croton oil rubbed on the inner 

 fascia of the thighs and along the spine, or cantharidal ointments, 

 are of no particular benefit. 



The course of this disease varies greatly in aiSections of the 

 cerebellum. If the hemispheres are affected, we may have exten- 

 sive alterations of the brain, which may run their course without 

 any decided symptoms being shown; but as soon as the cerebellum 



