EPILEPSY.
This is somewhat different from staggers, as the animal does not remain quietly on the ground, but it suffers from convulsions, it kicks, rolls its eyes, grinds its teeth, &c. The duration of the fit varies much, sometimes it terminates at the expiration of a few minutes; at other times, a quarter of an hour elapses before it is perfectly conscious. In this malady, there is a loss of equilibrium between the nervous and muscular systems, which may arise from hydatids in the brain, offering mechanical obstructions to the conducting power of the nerves. This malady may attack animals in apparently good health. We frequently see children attacked with epilepsy (fits) without any apparent cause, and when they are in good flesh.
The symptoms are not considered dangerous, except by their frequent repetition.
The following may be given with a view of equalizing the circulation and nervous action:—
| Assafœtida, | one-third of a tea-spoonful. |
| Gruel made from slippery elm, | 1 pint. |
Mix, while hot. Repeat the dose every other day. Make some change in the food. Thus, if the animal has been fed on green fodder for any length of time, let it have a few meals of shorts, meal, linseed, &c. The water must be of the best quality.
Suppose the animal to be in poor condition; then combine tonics and alteratives in the following form:—
| Assafœtida, | 1 tea-spoonful. |
| Powdered golden seal, | 1 ounce. |
| Powdered slippery elm, | 2 ounces. |
| Oatmeal, | 1 pound. |
Mix thoroughly, and divide into eight equal parts. A powder to be given every morning.