204 THE DISEASES OF THE DOG. 



head should be tried and the patient put through a course 

 of nitrate of silver in quarter-grain doses, or of sulphate of 

 iron or bromide of potassium. 



Apoplexy, the extravasation of blood on or in the brain, 

 is occasionally seen in the dog as an after-effect of 

 parturition. In short-necked dogs, too, it results from 

 tight collars or the animal straining at his chain in hot 

 weather, it may supervene on severe exertion during 

 summer, and it is seen in many cases of sunstroke, especially 

 those which last for a long period ; plethora and insufficient 

 exercise for some time predispose to it, and it especially 

 occurs in dogs which are fat and somewhat old, probably 

 a consequence of degenerative changes in the walls of 

 their cerebral blood-vessels either from senility or adiposity. 

 It is said to follow severe straining in obstinate consti- 

 pation and also in parturition. In the latter case it is 

 also attributable to other causes. Thus sudden suppression 

 of milk in an animal at about the time it is giving birth 

 to pups, premature deprivation of the young, and a 

 plethoric state of the body before lying in, are the special 

 causes operative in this case. In typical cerebral apoplexy, 

 the pulse is slow and full, but we very seldom get 

 uncomplicated cases of this disorder ; thus, with the sudden 

 and complete loss of consciousness which results when the 

 cerebral vessels give way, there may be found a quick 

 small pulse. The breathing is usually stertorous and 

 the pupil dilated, the visible mucous membrane congested, 

 and urine and faeces passed involuntarily. These symptoms 

 may be complicated with those of coma or with a certain 

 amount of delirium. Treatment consists in the prompt 

 administration of the pure stimulants, such as ammonia, 

 the narcotics being avoided, since they tend to increase 

 the cerebral congestion. Cold water should be applied to 

 the head directly the animal becomes unconscious, and 

 this is a case in which general bleeding is likely to be 

 attended with benefit. Later, a blister to the upper part 

 of the head may effect some good result, but the patient 

 generally dies before it has time to act. In the parturient 

 form death is less rapid, and, indeed, the symptoms are 



