When fever runs very high it may sometimes be admissible to give aconite, but the coal tar products are much more prompt and powerful, and may therefore be more hopefully employed for a short time.
In conditions of extreme prostration, stupor, or coma, stimulants are resorted to, but too often with no good effect, the exudation and compression which many times cause such symptoms being rather aggravated than benefited by such agents.
During convalescence a restricted, non-stimulating laxative diet (bran mashes, gruels, apples, potatoes, carrots) is demanded. Pure cool water should be always accessible.
In other forms of meningo-encephalitis the same general principles should be applied, due attention being paid to the removal of the active cause when that can be discovered.
When indications point unequivocally to abscess, and its seat can be accurately located by a circumscribed paralysis, an operation for its evacuation is fully warranted. Otherwise death or permanent uselessness is almost certain.
In cattle and other ruminants the same general principles of treatment must be applied. As a cathartic Epsom or Glauber salts are preferred to aloes and may be supplemented by barium chloride or eserine. Croton, sometimes useful, is liable to dangerously increase the gastric irritation in cases in which this is a marked determining factor. When the animal is down, raise the head by bundles of straw, or by a halter tied to a beam overhead. In lead poisoning, sulphuric acid largely diluted may be added to the sulphates so as to precipitate the insoluble sulphate of lead. Potassium iodide is of value to dissolve the lead in the tissues and lead to its elimination. Cases of cœnnrus require trephining and extraction; the larvæ of the œstrus should be washed out with tobacco water or destroyed by benzine.
In dogs the stomach is usually emptied spontaneously by emesis. A purgative of castor oil, followed by daily doses of calomel may be given, and attention given to the cooling of the head and general system. Antipyrin or acetanilid may be usefully employed. The diet should be restricted to milk or thin, well-boiled gruels.
The linguatula in the nose must be met as are the œstridæ of the sheep, and intestinal worms must be got rid of by active vermifuges.
CHRONIC HYDROCEPHALUS. DROPSY OF THE VENTRICLES. IMMOBILITY.
Horse especially suffers. Enzootic in given Alpine Valleys, along Rhone, in Mississippi Valley and bottom lands. Acclimatizing fever. Old, lymphatic, large heads, narrow foreheads predisposed. Geldings. Causes, heredity, cerebral and meningeal congestion, cranial traumas, venous obstruction, tumors, false membranes, fodder or water poisoning, overwork, insolation, prolonged moist heat, hepatic, gastric, and pulmonary disorders. Symptoms: form of head, stupid expression, irresponsive ears, pendent lips, sluggish movements, crossed legs, slow mastication, dips face in water, intractable by halter or rein, unable to back with rider, or wagon, drags back fore limbs, worst in hot damp weather, in sunshine, or after work, or with full stomach. Paroxysms of excitement. Lesions: excess of arachnoid, subarachnoid or ventricular fluid, atrophy of ganglia and convolutions, ependyma thick, opaque, sclerosis, brain anæmic. Tumors, nature. Experimental cases. Prognosis, incurable, better in cool season. In cattle, sheep, swine and dogs. Treatment: derivatives, nerve stimulants (nux), puncture, pilocarpin, purgatives, Jurisprudence. Notify seller in 9 days (France), 15 (Bavaria), 21 (Wurtenberg, Baden), 28 (Hesse, Prussia), 30 (Austria). Examination by expert.