558 THE DISEASES AND DISOROERS OF THE OX. 



the cranium, or to the bursting of an abscess. In the general 

 way the disorder springs from plethora, and from over-driving 

 and excitement in hot weather, when animals are in a plethoric 

 condition. 



The symptoms vary in accordance with the seat of the 

 extravasated blood. As a rule they are sudden and marked. 

 The animal first looks dull, reels, then falls suddenly, is com- 

 pletely unconscious, and unable to move or feel. The blood- 

 vessels of the head and neck are seen to be very full. Indeed, 

 the heart and the lungs are the only organs which exhibit signs 

 of life. The pulse is small and thready, the breathing is slow, 

 loud, and laboured, the surface of the body is covered with a 

 cold sweat. The mouth is open, respiration being almost 

 entirely carried on through it, and a frothy saliva is seen inside. 

 The eyes are widely opened, they roll and stare, and the pupils 

 are dilated; but though the pictures of external objects are 

 formed upon the retina, the animal is, doubtless, not conscious 

 of seeing them. Convulsive movements may show themselves, 

 but, as a rule, the muscles are soft and flaccid. The animal 

 becomes quiescent, and death may rapidly close the scene, owing 

 to the transmission of the pressure to the medulla oblongata, 

 and interference with the functions of this important nervous 

 structure, which are so absolutely essential to life. In some 

 cases, however, consciousness may return, and paroxysms of 

 violent convulsions may alternate with short periods of quiescence, 

 until coma and death ultimately ensue. 



In regard to treatment, if the patient be seen in the first stage 

 of dulness, free bleeding may be useful. A fairly strong cathartic 

 dose should also be given. Other remedial measures may be 

 tried, such as the application of a very strong liniment to the 

 loins and spine ; but in nine cases out of ten of real apoplexy in 

 the ox the disease cannot be cured, and, indeed, is liable to 

 recur. Hence slaughter is to be recommended. 



HYDEOCEPHALUS, OR WATER ON THE BRAIN. 



This disorder is due to the accumulation of serous fluid 

 either between or below the membranes which cover the brain. 

 It occurs generally in the foetus, causing great increase in the 

 size of the head, and, therefore, severe difficulty in the act of 

 parturition. The enormous head, when situated in the generative 



