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‘potassium and two of hydrate of chloral, may be given every four hours in 
the water, during the stage of excitement. If paralysis continues after the 
abatement of the acute symptoms, a smart blister may be applied to the poll, 
and repeated if necessary. 
EPILEPSY. 
EPILEpsy isa rare disease in the horse. It may be defined as an affection of 
the nervous system, characterised by sudden temporary loss of consciousness, 
associated for the most part with a convulsive attack, which in many instances 
cannot be referred to actual disease of the brain. A horse when attacked 
with epilepsy, champs his jaws, becomes unconscious, and falls to the ground 
convulsed. Sometimes the spasms are very slight, and the animal quickly 
regains consciousness, and seems as well as ever. Sometimes the spasms 
are confined to one limb, sometimes to one side of the body, or to the muscles 
of a particular part, as the face or neck. The animal froths at the mouth, 
grates the teeth, moves the head quickly to and fro, and turns about wildly. 
During the attack, cold water may be dashed on the head, and all means 
should be adopted to prevent the horse harming himself in his convulsions. 
In very strong animals, bleeding has been practised. After the attack is over, 
the general health should be promoted, the diet carefully regulated, and 
the bowels opened. If the disease depends upon worms, these should be. 
expelled. /In chronic cases one drachm of each of the bromides of sodium, 
ammonium, and potassium may be given three times daily in the drinking 
water, for a week or two. , 
ee = ~~ as 
/PARALYSIS OF THE LIPS. 
‘THE only form of paralysis of which we need treat here, is paralysis of the lips, 
a disease not uncommon in horses. ‘The nerves which supply the muscles of 
the lips are liable to become pressed upon by badly fitting bridles. Sometimes 
_ the nerve of one side, sometimes those on both sides become thus pressed 
upon, and paralysis ensues. When both nerves are affected, the lips cannot 
be closed, but hang pendulously, and saliva flows from the mouth. When 
the nerve of one side only is implicated, the lip, having no longer any power, 
is drawn by the action of the opposing muscles towards the other side. The 
horse cannot grasp his fodder when the lips are paralysed, and so he has to 
snatch his food with his teeth. In such cases the first thing necessary is to 
- remove: the badly fitting bridle, and to apply a blister of equal parts of the 
ointments of red iodide of mercury and of cantharides below the ear and 
along the cheeks. | Internally, a moderate dose of aloes may be administered, : 
and an eight drachm ball, made of two drachms of iodide of potassium, one 
drachm of powdered nux vomica, made up with a Sifficieficy of ginger and 
treacle, may be given twice daily. The diet should be soft and laxative, 
consisting of oatmeal and linseed cake gruel. If desired, the iodide of 
* potassium may be given in the food, i instead of administering the balls. Two 
drachms may be thus given twice daily. — 
