91)2 Agricultural Journal of Victoria. 



Symptoms. 



Shortly after calviiig'j generally in a few hours, the cow becomes 

 rcstlessj raisevS its liind feet alternately, the breathing seems quickened, 

 exhibits no desire to move and when forced to do staggers in its gait. 

 xVppctite and rumination (/.e., chewing the cud) cease, the eye has a 

 staring vacant expression, the ears droop and the head hangs down, 

 and lactation at once fails. In less than 24 hours the animal falls, 

 the hind limbs seeming weakened and give way, it is unable to rise 

 although it may })Ossib]y make several attcmps to do so. It will be 

 found on examination tliat the eyes are bloodshot and insensible to 

 the touch, and the animal seems to have lost all sensation and power 

 of voluntary motion. The pvdse is full, soft, and often slow, later it 

 becomes faster, smaller, and finally imperceptible. The breathing 

 eftorts, at first sc»mewhat quick, become slow and deep, and a snorting 

 sound is emitted with each respiratory movement. Saliva dribbles 

 from the mouth and there is iuability to swallow. The animal may 

 be pinched or })ricked, and exhibit no sign of feeling. The head 

 and horns are hot, and the cow exhibit every symptom of paralysis. 

 Although it may lie on its side throughout the attack, it generally lies 

 on its belly, with the head drawn round towards the flank and resting 

 on the ground, and if the head is put straight it appears insensibly to 

 turn round to that ])osition. This is by some authorities considered 

 " due to special touic spasm of the cervical muscles." The udder re-, 

 niains soft and loose, or it may become hard and small. The visible 

 mucous memln-anes become purple in colour, and the muscles of the 

 eyes exhibit twitching movements. The cow, being in a comatose 

 state, seems in a deep sleep from which she is with difficulty aroused. 

 Rumination being .suspended, the retention of food in the stomach is 

 conducive to fermentation in conseciuence of which the belly becomes 

 distended and enlarged by gaseous matter, hence the breathing 

 becomes embarrassed l)y the encroachment of the inflated stomach on 

 the chest. Eructations and escape of gas are loud and frequent, and 

 sometimes portions of the solid and fluid contents of the paunch are 

 forced into the mouth, from whence it may gravitate into the lungs 

 and cause suffocation. The animal being unconscious and the bladder 

 being in a paralysed condition, the urine should be removed l)y arti- 

 ficial means. The animal is unable to swallow, and fluids poured into 

 the mouth find their way into the windpipe exciting inflammation and 

 lui'^ten the end. 



Teeatment. 



First prop the animal up in a natural position with the assistance 

 of bags of straw. Rub the spine briskly, as also the limbs, with a 

 brush. Bathe the head freely with cold water. Administer an enema 

 of sulphate of magnesia and bicarbonate of soda. Cover the spine 

 with a warm rug, as all portions of the body Avith the exception of 

 the head will be found cokl. Before administering the enema it is 

 advisable to raise the hind quarters slightly, and in the absence of a 

 clyster pipe or syringe a bullock's horn well greased may be used. 

 l'ri(n- to this all hardened faeces should be removed by the hand from 



