216 DISEASES OF THE NERVOUS SYSTEM. 



with slight premonitory symptoms. In the later stages the ani- 

 mals run in a circle, are restless, have a staring look out of their 

 eyes, or remain standing with outstretched legs, and shake their 

 heads from side to side. We soon see clonic convulsions followed 

 by loss of consciousness, and in some cases a rapid change into 

 clonic tonic convulsions. The muscles of mastication are especially 

 affected. Single muscle-contractions follow one another with aston- 

 ishing rapidity, so that the saliva which li€s in .the mouth is 

 turned into foam. The convulsions, which are now tonic, extend 

 over the whole muscular system. The body and neck are drawn 

 backward or sideways; the legs are stretched; the respirations 

 seem to cease. This tonic form of convulsion lasts but a short 

 time. A few seconds after its appearance it has altered into clonic 

 cramps of the muscles, especially noticed in the legs, which are 

 frequently twitched. After a few minutes these twitchings stop ; 

 the animal lies on the ground for some time; it finally rises and 

 recovers very quickly. The pulse and temperature during an 

 attack of this kind present no alteration of any consequence. The 

 mucous membranes of the head are reddened and congested. This 

 is noticed at the termination of an attack, and is probably due to 

 the interruption of perspiration and the slight respiratory move- 

 ments. In very rare instances an involuntary passing of feces 

 and urine is noted during these convulsions. 



There are also certain forms in which the animal is restless, 

 running from side to side, or having fainting spells (dropping on 

 one side), slight muscular twitchings of the head or extremities, 

 and occasionally, in mild attacks, a very slight twitching of the 

 jaw. The duration of these attacks varies, as a rule, not lasting 

 very long, generally only a few minutes, although severe attacks 

 have been known to last for five or, six hours. Their frequency 

 is very uncertain; some animals have had several attacks daily, 

 while in others they have appeared at intervals of months. A 

 peculiar feature of some cases of true epilepsy was the frequent 

 attacks on the slightest excitement. 



Therapeutics. No agent seems to have any decided effect 

 upon epilepsy. The author has tried a number of remedies, one 

 after another, without result. Bromide of sodium seems to be the 

 best (this is preferable to bromide of potassium, as it has no detri- 

 mental effect upon the appetite), provided it is given in substantial 



