EXCEPH ALIUS. 509 



re^cjions. There is evidently softening of the brain substance as 

 a direct result of this condition." — (Gamgee's Domestic Animals 

 m Health and Disease.) I have never witnessed this effect of 

 alcohol on cattle, although I am familiar with the fact that the 

 " dreg " from distilleries is largely used for feeding purposes, and 

 that it is an excellent adjunct to other foods. 



The most common form of congestion of the brain and its 

 membranes, both in the horse and horned cattle, is that called 

 stomach staggers, sleepy staggers, or grass staggers — a disease 

 which sometimes rages as an enzootic. 



SYMPTOMS. 



The animal at first appears dull, listless, falls asleep whilst 

 standing, or drowsily nods its head ; eats slowly and at intervals ; 

 tlie breathing is generally slower than is natural, sometimes 

 slightly accelerated, but it is always of a somewhat snoring 

 description. The pulse is also slower than natural, from twenty- 

 six to thirty, full and rolling. The animal walks with a 

 straggling gait, staggers, and seems as if about to fall. If 

 suddenly disturbed whilst in the somnolent condition, it looks 

 around excitedly, shivers violently, and seems affrighted; but 

 soon becomes calm again, and may remain so for a short period, 

 especially if kept in a dark, quiet place. It now and then 

 tlirusts its head against the rack or wall of the stable ; moves 

 the limbs aiitomatically ; rears, hangs back, and breaks the 

 halter, or gets its fore feet into the manger, and elevates the 

 nose high up into the rack. The eyes, mouth, and rectum are 

 injected, and of a yellow tinge. In some cases, the yellowness 

 of the mucous membranes is a very prominent symptom. As 

 the disease advances, the extremities become alternately hot and 

 cold ; sweats bedew the body; there will be twitchings or clonic 

 spasms of the superficial muscles of tlie neck, breast, and hind 

 quarters. Violent convulsions will now occur ; the whole body 

 becoming stiff and rigid, and the respiratory movements ex- 

 tremely difficult. During these spasmodic — tonic — attacks, the 

 tail will be elevated, the membrana nictitans drawn over the 

 eye, as if the animal were suffering from tetanus, and the pulse 

 frequent, hard, and wiry, the e}^es fixed and amaurotic, the 

 mouth clammy, and the urine may be ejected by a convulsive 



