Aiiatniiiical Cliangos. Syniptoius. 783 



Avhicli lias been brought about by the specific protein of the 

 placenta or possibly of the glandular cells of the udder, and 

 that the absorption of considerable amounts of placentae or 

 milk protein produces anaphylactic s}anptoms. After a brief 

 excitation of the cortex and of the sub-cortical centers, among 

 them principally of the motor centers, the assumed poison pro- 

 duces paralytic disturliances of the function of the brain, and 

 also a brain anemia without leading to tissue changes in the 

 nervous system. 



Anatomical Changes. Autopsy gives no characteristic 

 findings. The mucous membrane of the vagina exhibits the 

 punctiform hemorrhages seen usually after parturition, and is 

 moderately edematous. The external os uteri is swollen and 

 infiltrated with serum, studded with hemorrhages from a pea 

 to a hazelnut in size, and more or less open. The incomplete 

 involution of the uterus which was first pointed out by Hess is 

 at times easily recognizable ; the uterus contains some hun- 

 dreds of grammes of a chocolate brown, reddish or yellowish 

 odorless fluid. The internal os and the uterus proper are usual- 

 ly in a similar condition to that of the orificium uteri extermun. 

 The vessels of the abdominal organs appear more filled with 

 blood than those of the other parts of the body. The central 

 nervous system shows no changes with the possible exception 

 of anemia. Secondary lesions may be sometimes noticed, such 

 as muscle tears, portions of food in the air passages, foreign 

 body pneumonia and exceptionally fractured bones (in one of 

 Wilhelm's cases fracture of the second cervical vertebra). 



Symptoms. In the great majority of cases the cows remain 

 quite healthy from one-half to two days after a normal and 

 easy parturition, and the activity of the udder proceeds regu- 

 larly. Generally on the second, often on the third day or to- 

 wards the end of the first day, seldom earlier or later, the 

 appetite declines without any visible cause, and at the same 

 time the animal exhibits a peculiar restlessness, looking about 

 nervously, emitting a dull bellow and tripping restlessly with its 

 hind feet. Exceptionally one notices also a more decided ex- 

 citement, such as frequent bello^^ing, climbing into the crib, 

 and at the same time spasms in single muscles, viz., in muscles 

 of face and neck and also in the muscles of mastication, which, 

 how^ever, only continue for a short time, at most a few hours 

 (according to Hess such cases belong to puerperal septicemia). 

 Some degree of weakness soon becomes noticeable; the animal 

 begins to stagger, spreads out the forefeet, trembles markedly, 

 can finally not continue any longer on its legs and falls to the 

 ground. The animal makes some attempts to rise but then a 

 comatose condition develops and it lies still. At this stage the 

 animal lies, usually half way over on her side, with feet drawn 



