DISEASES OF THE NERVOUS SYSTEM. 267 



bloodvessels — ^fuU local bleeding, and the after administration 

 of stimulants, with aperient medicine, are the measures indi- 

 cated. If from depression resulting from fracture, elevation 

 of the broken parts will be necessary ; or, if from the forma- 

 tion of pus or accumulation of serum, trephining may be 

 attempted ■ as a dernier ressort. But whatever may be the 

 cause, it is very important in the treatment adopted, to guard 

 as much as possible against secondary or inflammatory 

 symptoms, which, should they arise, are to be treated as pre- 

 viously described. 



HYDROCEPHALUS 



Hydrocephalus, or water on the brain, is by no means an 

 unfrequent canine affection. It is invariably congenital, and 

 is more particularly seen in high-bred dogs, and especially 

 where the in-and-in system of breeding has been adopted. 

 Several instances have come under my own observation 

 attributable, in my opinion, to the latter cause. In one or 

 two cases absolute idiotcy existed : the animals perforniing 

 absurd motions, and alike regardless of petting or scolding. 

 They were diminutive black-and-tan toys, and, if I may be 

 allowed the expression, were " bred to death : " destitute of 

 hair on the ears and skull, the latter unsightly large ; the eyes 

 painfully prominent arid expressionless; the body deficient in 

 symmetry, and the limbs distorted. And some of the defects 

 named were considered by the creatures' owners as indica- 

 tions of the purity of the strain ; and animals of this type are 

 kept,, regardless of entreaties to destroy such insults to na- 

 ture, for purposes of breeding. Fortunately, however, nature 

 rarely sanctions issue from such parents. 



Symptoms. — In addition to those I have named, paralysis 

 is very frequently present, usually in the hind-limbs, which, 

 in locomotion, are dragged after the animal. There is also 

 often a great disposition to sleep ; but it is generally disturbed 



