662 PA THOL OG Y OF PA R TURITION. 



touch; paralysis of the digestive organs — indicated by meteorismus, tor- 

 pidity of the bowels, so that the rectum remains empty when it has been 

 evacuated ; as well as paralysis of the pharynx and oesophagus — shown 

 by inability to swallow ; suspended lacteal secretion, relaxed sphincters, 

 puffing breathing by the mouth and pendulous lower jaw, and total 

 suppression of milk. 



The favorable indications are a maintenance of the normal tempera- 

 ture in body and limbs, or the slightest elevation when this is low ; 

 natural tint of the mucous membranes, expulsion of the urine either 

 spontaneously or when the finger is introduced into the urethra ; and, 

 according to Schaack, "a mode of respiration in which the animal retains 

 its breath for an instant, then allows the air to escape by a long and 

 slightly plaintive expiration." 



It is likewise a very favorable sign when the faeces are passed. A 

 return to consciousness is also, of course, a happy omen, and particularly 

 if the animal attempts to rise, desires food or drink, and the lacteal 

 secretion begins to re-appear. 



In some cases, however, there appears to be slight recovery, and fatal 

 relapse takes place. The pulse will also aid in forming an opinion as to 

 the probable termination of the malady. 



The longer the disease continues, so the more hope there is of recov- 

 ery ; though there is all the more danger of pneumonia from extraneous 

 matters in the bronchia, if the coma or paralysis of the muscles of de- 

 glutition lasts for some days. Weigand says that when an animal con- 

 tinues lying for six to eight days, unless it can eat and drink, it should 

 be killed. 



Causes. 



The unanimous opinion with regard to this disease is that it is peculiar 

 to the parturient condition, and that it has a close relation to the state of 

 the Cow previous to parturition — to a more or less marked race or zW/- 

 7V^z/^/ predisposition. So far as breed is concerned, it is a fact that the 

 Cows most liable to be attacked are those in which the secretion of milk 

 is abundant — " deep milkers " — and which are in a more or less plethoric 

 condition. With the perfecting of Cows for the production of milk, this 

 disease has become vastly more prevalent. Numerous observers testify 

 to this fact. " Since in Algau," writes Bentele, " the Cow has been so 

 largely utilized for the production of cheese — converted into a milk ma- 

 chine, in fact — the previously unknown calving-fever has appeared." 



So it is, that in countries or districts where bovines are reared more 

 for their flesh than their milk, parturient apoplexy is not a very common 

 malady, and the losses from it are comparatively small. It is, therefore, 

 a disease almost peculiar to the best breeds of milch. Cows. 



With regard to individual predisposition, there can be no doubt that 

 even in these breeds there are animals which suffer from parturient apo- 

 plexy more than others ; and instances are reported of Cows being 

 attacked after several consecutive births. 



Plethora^ there can be no doubt, exercises a great influence in the produc- 

 tion of the disease. Thus it is chiefly among the well-fed Cows, particu- 

 larly those kept for milk, in the vicinity of large towns, and which seldom 

 or ever leave their stable, and are abundantly nourished immediately 

 before calving, that parturient apopfexy prevails most seriously and exten- 

 sively. It is true that it may attack Milch Cows in moderate, or even in 



