200 THE DISEASES 0E THE DOG. 



found sufficient to account for these peculiar symptoms, 

 but a cathartic dose and a blister along the side of the 

 face, followed by carbolic applications, effected a perfect 

 cure.* Williams alludes, in his 'Veterinary Medicine,' 

 to there being certainly some instances of what might be 

 considered aberrations of intellect or morbid fancies, espe- 

 cially in the dog, whereby the docile become ferocious, the 

 good-tempered irritable, and the intelligent stupid, and not- 

 withstanding the varieties in temperament and intelligence 

 of animals the purely mental diseases are absent. There 

 can be no doubt, considering the high mental qualities 

 shown by some dogs and the zeal with which they parti- 

 cipate in our sports and labours, that the study of nervous 

 disorders in them is at present in a very elementary state. 

 There are certain conditions which are symptoms of disease 

 rather than independent pathological states which must 

 be now dealt with. Epilepsy is of frequent occurrence, 

 and it is commonly spoken of as " fits." It is a loss of 

 consciousness associated with convulsions dependent on 

 irritation either directly of the central nervous organs or 

 peripheral. Thus it is seen in young animals from teeth- 

 ing or worms, and sometimes occurs in the bitch from 

 parturition. A depraved state of the blood, as in dis- 

 temper, may cause it, and not unfrequently it results from 

 ansemic or plethoric states. When a bitch is overmilked 

 by too many pups being kept on her, or by want of proper 

 nutrition, she is apt to have fits which may prove fatal. 

 Blows on the head induce changes of the brain-substance 

 and membranes indicated by epilepsy, and it is seen to 

 follow unusual exertion or excitement, especially in animals 

 " out of condition." Thus, sporting dogs suffer from 

 epilepsy at the commencement of the season, and it is 

 found in carriage dogs, especially when the weather is 

 hot. Constipation is a predisposing cause, and Dr. Brown- 

 Sequard has proved that it may depend on lesions of the 

 spinal cord. Symptoms, — The fits most frequently come 

 on when the animal has been exerting itself. Its pace 

 becomes slow and it looks distressed, although it appa- 

 * Hill's 'Dog.' 



