DISEASES OF THE OX AND SHEKP. 553 



more than they can readily withstand. This gives a chance for 

 those still hetter endowed, and so on and on, until we come to 

 the very highest mental endowments. 



Now all these disturbances of the nervous system to which 

 we have alluded should be most carefully guarded against in 

 every possibly way, and thus it happens that the diseases and 

 disorders of the nervous system of lower animals attain a far 

 higher significance than could possibly otherwise be attached to 

 them. 



It cannot be said that the nervous ailments of oxen are 

 thoroughly understood. Those diseases which seem to be more 

 intimately connected with the brain are those we now propose 

 to discuss. We accordingly proceed to consider briefly : — 

 Stomach-staggers, delirium, inflammation of the brain, epilepsy, 

 and apoplexy. With regard to the presence of abscesses in the 

 brain, all that need be said is that they are occasionally met 

 with. 



STOMACH-STAGGERS. 



The disorder known among cattle-owners as *' stomach- 

 staggers " aff'ords an extreme instance of the fact that the 

 brain depends for its well-being on the healthy working of 

 the stomach. When this organ is very full, the ox may become 

 comatose, so much so, perhaps, as even to exhibit a tendency to 

 fall down, especially if the head be elevated. The respirations 

 are slow and deep, the pulse is slow and full, and the pupils of 

 the eyes are dilated. In short, the symptoms may simulate 

 those produced by narcotic poisons. The best treatment is to 

 give at once a full cathartic dose, and also suitable stimulants. 

 The disorder is not of much importance, it is not at all often 

 met with, nor is it so extreme as is the malady of the same kind 

 and name among horses. 



DELIRIUM. 

 Delirium is not to be looked upon as a disease in itself, but 

 as a symptom of different kinds of cerebral disturbance. It is 

 met with in cases of inflammation of the brain, in certain blood- 

 diseases, in acute indigestion, in impaction of the omasum, and 

 as the result of some forms of poisoning, e.g, by lead. A 

 dehrious ox has, like other animals similarly afflicted, a peculiar 

 wild look in the eyes, is excitable, or perhaps even quite frantic 



