536 THE PRACTICE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. 



it proceeds with a rapidity almost equal to that noticed 

 in the development of the disease. The second attack 

 is usually fatal. 



Symjyfoms. — Various symptoms may be noticed during 

 the initial stage of the disease. Sometimes the first 

 symptom to attract attention is a decrease in the flow of 

 the milk, but as a rule the symptoms first noticed are dul- 

 ness, hanging of the head, and a disinclination to move 

 about. As the condition develops, food and water on being 

 offered are refused, and the patient shows a slight uneasi- 

 ness, resting first upon one set of limbs, then changing to 

 another set. Soon rumination ceases, and the animal be- 

 comes oblivious to her surroundings, even ceasing to pay 

 the slightest attention to her calf. On attempting to walk, 

 it may be observed that she moves along with a paddling, 

 unsteady gait; the respirations become hurried, but the 

 pulse is, at first, not much affected ; the bases of the horns, 

 and the poll, are found to be warmer than natural, and in a 

 majority of cases the surface temperature undergoes more 

 or less reduction. As the disease progresses the pulse 

 becomes affected, and the other symptoms above described 

 become better marked. The urine, if passed, is very scanty, 

 and is heightened in colour. The bowels become consti- 

 pated, and the fseces if, an}^ are passed, occur in the shape 

 of extremely hard pellets covered with mucus. The patient 

 soon falls heavily to the ground, and may become excited, 

 try to rise, and knock her head about for awhile, but quickly 

 becomes comatose. She turns her head to one side, often 

 allowing the nose to rest upon the ground, and appears to 

 be in a deep sleep. The eyes become amaurotic, the cornese 

 have a wrinkled appearance, and are devoid of sensibility. 

 On pulling the head of the patient around from her side 

 and freeing it from restraint, it is immediately returned to 

 its former position. This is a symptom that may be regarded 



