^40 STATE BOAKD OF AGRICULTURE. 



siou -with those who labor hard and long. After a short period of rest the 

 circulation becomes equalized, and the digestive organs ask, by the sense of 

 hunger, for what is needed to support the system. 



The status of affairs is very similar in the case of the cow attacked by milk 

 fever. Slie approaches the time for parturition full fed and with all the organs 

 of digestion in a healthy and active state. The act takes place in the usual 

 manner and with very little disturbance to the system, except the large expend- 

 iture of nervous and muscular force, which calls an extra supply of blood to 

 the organs affected. Before the circulation is equalized, and with very little 

 loss of blood, the appetite being vigorous, she partakes of a full meal. Indi- 

 gestion ensues, and an entire blockaig of the digestion by impaction of food in 

 the third stomach or the omasum. The stomacli becomes distended, and great 

 pressure, together with inflammation of the parts, follows. When this pressure 

 and inflammation is severe enough, the brain is affected by corresponding loss 

 of blood, unconsciousness follows, together with paralysis of parts of the animal. 



It may seem rather curious to some of you that })ressure, or blows, or bruises 

 on some particular parts will produce coma and paralysis. Fleming, in his work, 

 in the chapter on parturient-apoplexy, says: "It is an indisputable fact that 

 tiie functions of the brain are in a great measure dependent on the state of the 

 circulation. A large array of physiological facts tend to show that a reduced 

 flow of blood in this organ * * leads to lethargy, lessened reflex action, loss 

 of volition and com])lete unconsciousness." " No\r there is a general physi- 

 ological law that organs cannot perform their functions without a sufficient 

 supply of the vital fluid ; and as the cerebrum is the seat of volition and of 

 consciousness, these two functions are diminished in activity by sudden loss of 

 blood, and if the deprivation is very considerable tiie brain entirely ceases to 

 act." The paralysis, according to some authorities, may come from loss of 

 volition and unconsciousness, A stoppage of the flow of blood to the brain 

 may be caused in other ways. A case is given where a severe blow on the 

 muzzle of a doer has caused contraction of tlie cerebral arteries, and the brain 

 has suddenly been thus deprived of arterial blood, when unconsciousness and 

 death followed. I might continue this part of the subject farther, but trust I 

 have succeeded in making myself understood thus far. 



Treatment. 



As the stomacli seems to be the seat of the disease, the lirst thing to be done 

 is to give strong purgatives, 1^ to 2 pounds epsom salts, should be given as soon 

 as the first symptoms are noticed. If not discovered until the animal has great 

 difficulty in swallowing, great care should be exercised in giving the medicines 

 lest they be taken into tlie trachea and thence into the lungs and the animal be 

 choked, or inflammation and congestion be caused by the foreign substances 

 taken into them. Belladonna extract or tincture aconite should be given in 

 doses of from 10 to 20 drops, every half hour to one hour, according to the 

 severity of the case. Give injections of tepid water in which a handful of salt 

 is dissolved, in two gallons of water. This to bo repeated every two to four 

 hours. For outward treatment, rub the back and the region over the kidneys 

 with alcohol or spirits of turpentine, as a counter irritant, and try to get up ac- 

 tion of tho.se parts. Chafing and rubbing the limbs from time to time to in- 

 crease the circulation toward tlie extremities. If in cold weather blanket the 

 animal warmly and keep the stall well littered with straw. Keep the animal 

 lying in a natural position as nearly as possible and not too long on one side. 



