526 ' - SPORADIC DiSEASieS. 



opening into the jugular is to be a large one, in order that the 

 blood may flow freely to relieve the congestion, to check, if 

 possible, a further extravasation of blood or effusion of serum, 

 and to divert its active flow into the head ; but it must not be 

 carried out so as to debilitate the heart's action. Wlien the 

 pulse becomes fuller and stronger, the bleeding is to be stopped ; 

 from three to five quarts will generally be sufficient. 



The bleeding is for the purpose of removing pressure from 

 the brain, and although the pulse may indicate stimulants rather 

 than depletion, it will be found that as the blood flows the tone 

 of the pulse will improve, for the weakness of the pulsation, the 

 want of impulse, and debility of the heart's action, are results 

 of brain pressure. If, however, the surface of the body be cold, 

 the animal tympanitic, the heart's action fluttering, and the 

 pulse almost undetectable, bleeding is calculated to do more 

 harm than good, as the heart's action would now be further 

 impaired, and the amount of arterial blood sent to the brain 

 diminished ; for it must be remembered that the cerebral conges- 

 tion is now less due to an over-abundant supply of arterial blood 

 than to pressure upon it by venous or capillary engorgement ; 

 that, in fact, the brain — engorged as it may appear — is in an 

 anaemic condition in regard to its arterial supply; and when this 

 is the case, paralysis of the heart is to be prevented, if possible, 

 by the use of stimulants. It is the practice of many veteri- 

 narians, and of its success I can speak with confidence, to bleed 

 to relieve congestion, and administer a stimulant to increase the 

 heart's action ; to enable the heart, in fact, to send arterial blood 

 into the brain by overcoming the resistance of the congestive 

 venous pressure. 



If the cow is already down when first seen by the practitioner, 

 his first care must be to see that it is made to lie as near the 

 natural position — on the sternum — as possible, and this he will 

 do by having it packed up at the side by bundles of straw, 

 or, what is better, sacks filled with straw, firmly wedged under the 

 quarter and shoulder, the head at the same time being properly 

 propped by the same means ; and care being at all times taken 

 that the cow is prevented from injuring its head by striking it 

 against hard bodies. When this is done, venesection may be 

 had recourse to. 



In all cases, whether the pulse be small or full, a strong 



