DISEASES OF THE OX AND SHEEP. 557 



even stop the fit, as it is coming on, by an energetic and vigorous 

 pinching of the legs or arms, or other part of the body. 

 Napoleon I. is said to have suffered from epilepsy. 



The feeling which precedes a fit is peculiar, and said by 

 patients to be indescribable. It is not in itself unpleasant. It 

 may sometimes be so slight as to be scarcely noticeable, and at 

 others overpowering in its strength. The feeling is not at all 

 painful. It seems to become stronger as the patient grows 

 older, in some cases. There is no power of bringing on a fit by 

 an effort of the will. Any kind of indigestion seems to bring on 

 a fit. New bread, beef, bacon, or pork are to be avoided. Any 

 cause which depresses the system is to be guarded against. The 

 food should always be thoroughly well masticated, since a very 

 small portion of solid, if swallowed, may bring on a fit. Over- 

 eating and constipation are very hurtful in these cases. A friend 

 informs us that he had fits from the age of seven to ten, none at 

 all, so far as he knows, from ten to thirteen, but that he has had 

 them at longer or shorter intervals ever since. Notwithstanding 

 the immunity, however, during the time stated, he appears 

 always to have had at times a slight sensation similar to the 

 feeling above referred to. 



During the seizure a patient lies senseless, with outstretched 

 limbs, shivering, and more or less violently convulsed, as the case 

 may be, while the muscles of respiration, and those of the eyes 

 and jaws, also show convulsive movements. If the fit is severe, 

 the veins of the neck may swell, and the patient may look as if 

 on the verge of asphyxiation, gasping and foaming at the mouth. 

 The face becomes purple, and the suff'erer may present all the 

 appearance of passing through the death-agony. 



Personally, we do not recollect ever having seen an ox in an 

 epileptic fit, but they are said to suffer similarly. An ox thus 

 seized bellows, froths at the mouth, passes feces and urine in- 

 voluntarily. Usually the convulsive movements soon cease, the 

 animal rises, and soon appears healthy again. Many owners and 

 veterinarians would advise slaughter in the case of an ox thus 

 afflicted. 



APOPLEXY. 



Apoplexy is due to the blood-vessels of the brain being 

 over-distended with blood and bursting, and to the pressure 

 of the extravasated blood upon the walls, or to fracture of 



