EPILEPSY— FALLING SICKNESS 245 



Treatment. — During an attack the patient should be un- 

 harnessed and made comfortable. Some recommend throw- 

 ing a blanket over the head. Ice or cold water to the poll is 

 often of advantage. If the cause of vertigo can be determined 

 and removed, permanent healing is possible. Usually the best 

 results are obtained by changing the harness to avoid con- 

 striction of the jugular veins or interference with vision. 



EPILEPSY. FALLING SICKNESS. 



Definition. — Epilepsy is a chronic disorder of the nervous 

 system, characterized by attacks of unconsciousness and 

 spasms, which occur periodically. Between the attacks the 

 patient appears in normal health. 



Occurrence. — Epilepsy is rare in horses and cattle, but is 

 relatively common in dogs. 



Etiology. — The causes of epilepsy are not known. In true 

 , epilepsy there are no lesions which are characteristic. Hered- 

 ity has been accused. 



Symptoms. — Two forms of epilepsy may / be distinguished : 

 The severe type characterized by a complete epileptic con- 

 vulsion (grand mal) and the milder type characterized by 

 incomplete or partial attacks (petit mal) . 



Grand Mal. — In animals the epileptic seizure comes about 

 suddenly and usually without prodromal symptoms (aura 

 epileptica). The patient falls to the ground after showing 

 symptoms of dizziness, and is rapidly overcome with severe 

 tonic spasms of the head, neck, body, and limbs. The jaws 

 may be locked, the neck and back bent backward, and the 

 limbs extended. There are clonic spasms of the lips and the 

 lower jaw, inducing movements of the jaw and foamy saliva- 

 tion. The eyes are rolled in their sockets and the limbs move 

 convulsively. At the same time the patient is unconscious, 

 sensitiveness is lost, and the pupil dilated. The duration of 

 the attack is only for a few minutes. After it is over the 

 animal regains its feet, seems for a time languid, but is soon 

 normal again. Between such attacks the patient appears in 

 perfect health. Attacks follow at very irregular intervals. 



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