Treatment.—Occasional doses of A.A., are beneficial.
CHAPTER VI.—Part I.
DISEASES OF THE NERVOUS SYSTEM
Apoplexy
Occasionally, in consequence of high feeding and deficient exercise, and especially in fat young horses, with short necks and large blood-vessels, this disease occurs. It may also come on in consequence of drawing a heavy load up a hill. It is predisposed by an overloaded stomach.
Symptoms.—In apoplexy, the horse either suddenly falls down lifeless, or there are premonitory symptoms, such as vertigo, the animal holds his head down, or leans it upon something, yawns, perspires slightly, and moves clumsily, etc. Afterwards, the animal falls down suddenly, the circulation becomes disturbed and irregular, eyes red, protruded, and staring; breathing labored, short, rattling; body covered with sweat, and eyelids paralyzed. After a few convulsions the animal dies; or, in rare cases, an improvement takes place, to be again, after a longer or shorter period of time, followed by relapse, or to result in paralysis. (Compare the symptoms with those of Epilepsy).
Treatment.—So soon as any of the premonitory symptoms are observed, give fifteen drops of A.A. at once, and repeat the dose every one, two or three hours, until the animal is relieved, and then at longer intervals. If the horse falls under an attack of the disease, give of the above Remedy at once, and repeat the dose every half hour or hour; remove the harness, etc., and from time to time pour some cold water upon the head, not too much or too violently, while you also give the medicine internally. Injections of salt and water also may be of decided advantage.
Epilepsy
This disease sometimes appears in the horse, and manifests itself in the following manner: the animal suddenly trembles, remains standing for an instant with legs spread out, staggers, and then falls; convulsions ensue; he kicks, rolls, and twists himself about, grinds his teeth, passes his dung and urine involuntarily, froths at the mouth, the motions of the eye are spasmodic, irregular, and the respiration loud, painful and sobbing. After a while he becomes quiet, breathing regular, and he gradually comes to himself as if coming out of a dream. The duration of a fit varies from a few minutes to a half hour. The attacks return again at periods varying from a few days to several weeks or months, generally coming at shorter intervals. Epilepsy differs from apoplexy as spasm differs from paralysis, and a little attention will not fail to distinguish them.
The causes are deep-seated changes in the nervous organism, and they are rarely curable.
Treatment.—Give, on any premonitions of an attack, fifteen drops of A.A. at once, and you will usually ward it off. For an attack, put a few drops in the mouth as soon as you can safely do it, and repeat it every half hour or hour, until the paroxysm is ended. Afterwards, always give one dose to prevent a return.