104 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 



leaned against the side of the stall or stable, as if for support. The 

 bowels are constipated; the urine, when passed, is small in quantity 

 and darker in color than natural. There may be trembling and even 

 spasms of muscles in different parts. In the dull stage the animal 

 may breathe less frequently than is natural, and each breath may be 

 accompanied Avith a snoring-like sound. The pulse may be large and 

 less frequent than normal. If suddenly aroused from the drowsy 

 state, the animal appears startled and stares wildly. AVhen moving 

 about it may stagger, the hind quarters swaying from side to side. 



If delirium ensues, the cow is commonly said to be mad. She may 

 bellow, stamp her feet, run about wildly, grate the teeth, froth at the 

 mouth. If she is confined in the stable, she rears and plunges; the 

 convulsions are so violent in many instances that it is really danger- 

 ous for one to attempt to render aid. The body may be covered with 

 perspiration. She may fall; the muscles twitch and jerk; often the 

 head is raised and then dashed against the ground until blood issues 

 from the nose and mouth ; the eyes may be bloodshot and sightless ; 

 the limbs stiff and outstretched, or they may be kicked about reck- 

 lessly ; the head may be drawn back and the tail drawn up ; the urine 

 may be squirted out in spurts: often the " washer" (membrane nicti- 

 tans) is forced over the eye. When the convulsions cease they may 

 be followed by a period of quiet unconsciousness (coma) which is 

 more or less prolonged, when the animal may gradually regain con- 

 sciousness, get up on its feet, and perhaps quietly partake of food, if 

 there be any within reach, Avhile at other times it arises with much 

 difficulty and staggers blindly about the stall or field. 



It must be remembered that all the foregoing symptoms are not 

 always seen in the same case. In those cases usually designated 

 " sleepy staggers " the general symptoms of drowsiness are presented, 

 •while in other cases the symptoms of frenzy cause the a ffection to be 

 called "' mad staggers." In other cases there are symptoms of paraly- 

 sis, swaying of the hind quarters, inability to rise, etc., and sometimes 

 these symptoms of paralysis are the most striking manifestations and 

 continue until death. Acute cases are accompanied by fever. 



It is well to remark that when the disease follows injuries to the 

 head the symptoms may not be manifested until two or three days 

 (or longer) after the accident. 



Treatment. — Recoveries are rare in spite of careful attention. To 

 be of any service whatever the treatment must be prompt and begin 

 with the disease. In the early stage, when the pulse is large, most 

 cases will admit of bleeding. Eight or 9 quarts of blood should be 

 taken from the jugular vein. This should be followed immediately 

 by a purgative, the following for a cow of average size : Epsom salt, 

 24 ounces; pulverized gamboge, one-half ounce; croton oil, 20 drops; 

 waiTn water, 3 quarts: mix all together and give at once as a drench. 



