194 DISEASES OF CATTLE, SHEEP, GOATS, ETC. 



around to the side again when the force is removed. The body 

 usually rests slightly to one side, with the hind legs extended for- 

 ward and outward and the fore legs doubled up in their normal posi- 

 tion. There is paralysis of the muscles of the throat, so that swal- 

 lowing is impossible, and in case drenching is attempted there is 

 great danger of the fluids going into the lungs and setting up trau- 

 matic pneumonia. Paralysis of the rectum and bladder is also com- 

 plete and the movement of the intestines is so suppressed that purga- 

 tives are frequently powerless to reestablish it. Fermentation in the 

 paunch with consequent bloating is sometimes seen, particularly 

 when the patient is allowed to be stretched out on her side. The se- 

 cretion of milk is diminished and may be suspended entirely. Sugar 

 is voided in the urine, depending in quantity on the seventy of the 

 attack. The pulse is weak and at times hardly perceptible to the 

 finger, averaging from 50 to 70 beats per minute. Later in the dis- 

 ease, however, and especially in those cases with unfavorable ter- 

 minations, it may reach 100 per minute. There is seldom noticed a 

 rise of temperature. Sometimes at the commencement of the attack 

 the temperature may reach 103 F., but there is a steady decrease to 

 as low as 95 F. as the disease progresses. The temperature rapidly 

 rises again as improvement is manifested. Convalescence occurs rap- 

 idly, and on the day following the onset of the disease, and in some 

 cases even within a few hours, the animal may be up eating and 

 drinking in a normal manner. Sometimes, however, a slight par- 

 alysis of the hind quarters persists, and may remain for a week or 

 even longer, indicating that some structural change must have oc- 

 curred in the nerve centers. In fatal cases the animal may remain 

 perfectly quiet and die in a comatose condition from complete par- 

 alysis of the nervous system, but more frequently there is some agi- 

 tation and excitement prior to death with tossing about of the head. 

 Death, like recovery, usually occurs in from eighteen to seventy-two 

 hours after the onset of the malady. 



Treatment. In the administration of medicine by the mouth, 

 and especially drenches, great care should be taken to prevent the 

 fluids from getting into the larynx and from there into the lungs 

 where they will set up traumatic pneumonia, which is almost in- 

 variably fatal. In case the throat is not paralyzed the drench may 

 prove of value and should be given slowly and immediately stopped 

 at the first sign of uneasiness or coughing on the part of the animal. 

 While the patient lies on the side she must raise the weight of her 

 body at each inspiration, which is very exhausting, and hypostatic 

 congestion of the dependent lung is greatly favored. Consequently 

 it is of importance that the cow should be kept propped up on the 

 breastbone by means of bags of chaff or straw placed against her side. 

 In the way of medicinal treatment purgatives may be given in the 

 first stage of the disease when the animal can swallow, with the pre- 

 cautions above mentioned. One pound of Epsom salts and 2 ounces 

 of creolin dissolved in a pint of water will prove beneficial. The creo- 

 lin is added for its antiseptic action to prevent fermentation in the 

 paunch with the consequent danger of the eructation of foods and 



