Special Report on Diseases of the HorseUnited States. Bureau of Animal Industry
Science
Special Report on Diseases of the Horse
United States. Bureau of Animal Industry
Horses -- Diseases
_Treatment._--The first object in treatment will be to establish
reaction or to arouse the feeble and weakening heart. This can often be
accomplished by dashing cold water on the head and body of the animal;
frequent injections of weak ammonia water, ginger tea, or oil and
turpentine should be given per rectum. In the majority of cases this
will soon bring the horse to a state of consciousness. In more severe
cases mustard poultices should be applied along the spine and above the
fetlocks. As soon as the animal gains partial consciousness stimulants,
in the form of whisky or capsicum tea, should be given. Owing to
severity of the structural injury to the brain or the possible rupture
of blood vessels and blood extravasation, the reaction may often be
followed by encephalitis or cerebritis, and will then have to be treated
accordingly. For this reason the stimulants should not be administered
too freely, and they must be abandoned as soon as reaction is
established. There is no need for further treatment unless complications
develop as a secondary result. Bleeding, which is so often practiced,
proves almost invariably fatal in this form of brain affection. We
should also remember that it is never safe to drench a horse with large
quantities of medicine when he is unconscious, for he is very liable to
draw the medicine into the lungs in inspiration.
_Prevention._--Young horses, when harnessed or bitted for the first few
times, should not have their heads checked high, for it frequently
causes them to rear up, and, being unable to control their balance, they
are liable to fall over sideways or backwards, thus causing brain
concussion when they strike the ground.
ANEMIA OF THE BRAIN.
This is a physiological condition in sleep. It is considered a disease
or may give rise to disease when the circulation and blood supply of the
brain are interfered with. In some diseases of the heart the brain
becomes anemic, and fainting fits occur, with temporary loss of
consciousness. Tumors growing within the cranium may press upon one or
more arteries and stop the supply of blood to certain parts of the
brain, thus inducing anemia, ultimately atrophy, softening, or
suppuration. Probably the most frequent cause is found in plugging, or
occlusion, of the arteries by a blood clot.
_Symptoms._--Imperfect vision, constantly dilated pupils, frequently a
feeble and staggering gait, and occasionally cramps, convulsions, or
epileptic fits occur.
_Pathology._--The exact opposite of cerebral hyperemia. The blood
vessels are found empty, the membranes blanched, and the brain substance
softened.
_Treatment._--Removal of the remote cause when possible. General tonics,
nutritious feed, rest, and removal from all causes of nervous
excitement.
HYDROCEPHALUS, OR DROPSY OF THE BRAIN.
This condition consists in an unnatural collection of fluid about or in
the brain. Depending upon the location of the fluid, we speak of
external and internal hydrocephalus.
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