C ER EBRO -SPINAL M ENIN GIT TS. 
475 
at the base of the brain. Its occurrence is interesting as showing 
the passively dilated condition of the small blood-vessels. In 
England Professor Axe found ten or twelve ounces arachnoidean 
fluid, pia mater, brick-colored and engorged, membranes of both 
brain and cord intensely congested and marked with blood clots; 
brain showing a similar condition with some staining of serosity, 
with which it was infiltrated, and no softening; mucous mem¬ 
brane of large intestines and villous portion of the stomach con¬ 
gested : so marked were the latter lesions that an analysis was 
made for vegetable or mineral poisons, but with negative results. 
Somewhat similar appearances were observed by Professor Smith 
in the Canadian outbreak. Others have noticed separation of 
the dura mater from the vertebrae of the spinal cord by extrava- 
sated blood, embedding of the nerves as they emerge in sero- 
purulent exudation, pus in the central canal of the cord, and 
purulent infiltration of the pia mater in the lumbar region. The 
ecchymoses of the intestines are probably analogous to the pur¬ 
puric spots seen so often on the skin of human patients suffering 
from this disease, and which in them gave to it the name of 
“ spotted fever ” in many places. Their occurrence gives strong 
support to the view that we have to do with a blood poison, of 
whose nature, however, absolutely nothing is known. 
Treatment .—Owing to our imperfect knowledge of the patholo¬ 
gy of cerebro-spinal meningitis, there necessarily exists considerable 
controversy as to the proper therapuetic measures to be adopted. 
Most empirics, not appreciating the constitutional nature of the 
disease, direct all their treatment to the throat and loins. Chloral 
hydrate and bromide of potassium have been recommended by 
some as valuable medicinal agents, especially in cases where 
delirium runs high; while others assert that the bromides have 
no effect on the larger domesticated animals. The combination 
of ergot with strychnine, belladonna or chloride of iron, is highly 
praised by many; its use is especially indicated in those cases 
where hsematuria is present. Dr. Very, of Boston, found that 
arsenic and atropine placed on the tongue yielded apparently 
good results, but in his opinion all treatment is guess-work. 
Acting on his theory that the disease was essentially a paralysis of 
