448 AMERICAN" CATTLE. 



IN'FLAMMATIOX OF THE BRAIN. 



Causes. This complaint usually proceeds from redundances 

 of blood in the system, called an overflowing of the blood; or 

 by severe contusions of the head. It is sometimes occasioned 

 by excessive heat, or a sudden change from a poor to a rich diet. 



Symptoms. This serious and fatal disorder is one of the most 

 distressing to which cattle are subject; it is, however, fortunately 

 of rare occurrence. An animal laboring under this disorder, is 

 described as having a peculiar wildness and anxiety in his looks, 

 being usually watchful, starting often, groaning vehementlv, as 

 if affected with sudden and violent pain; his respiration is slow, 

 but he sometimes makes very long respirations, and appears for 

 a time as if his breathing was entirely suspended. Suddenly, 

 the beast will rise, turn about, and instantly lie down again with 

 the same volatility, evincing marks of great restlessness and 

 delirium. When the frenzv is high, the eyes look red and furi- 

 ous; at other times they border on languor and stupefaction; the 

 teeth are ground together, and they will sometimes tear up the 

 turf with their feet, and toss it into the air with the greatest 

 violence; but the beast always appears to labor under considera- 

 ble fear, dreading the approach of anything; and is often quite 

 ungovernable, scarcely ever inclining to rest, except in the latter 

 stage of the disease, when, if it has been neglected, or has not 

 yielded to the usual remedies, a lethargy takes place, and the 

 animal sinks. Sometimes the urine is hot and high-colored ; but 

 it is said that before a fit of the frenzy takes place, the urine is 

 often of a pale color, and thinner than natural 



When the symptoms of fury or irritation suddenly cease, and 

 a lethargv takes place, the pulse becoming feeble, and the strength 

 diminishing, the case is almost hopeless; but should the fever, 

 redness, and flushing in the eye gradually subside, without any 

 variation of the pulse, or approaching debility, the beast may 

 generally be pronounced recovering. 



On opening the head of such animals as have died of this 

 complaint, very evident marks of inflammation appear about the 

 membranes of the brain, and very frequently in the substance of 

 the brain itself. All the vessels are turgid with blood, and, cut- 

 ting into the brain, innumerable little red points are to be seen, 

 which do not appear in the natural state. Very commonly an 



