674 P^ THOL OG Y OF PAR TURITION. 



centre. This last theory does not in any way account for the congestion 

 of the brain. Besides, if one admits this theory, one must expect to 

 see calf-fever set in as soon as the act of parturition is over — i.e., as soon 

 as the uterus is empty, which is very seldom the case. As a rule, calf- 

 fever sets in simultaneously with the after-birth period (inclusive of the 

 period of after-pains), fifteen hours after delivery, but generally within 

 the first twenty-four hours. 



Now, if it is admitted that calf-fever does not in most cases, according 

 to this theory, account for the direct brain anaemia, it often really occurs 

 in some diseases which are very similar to this one. Thus Gierer re- 

 niarked, after feeding with leaves of the red beet, plethora of the intes- 

 tines and anaemia of the brain similar to that in calf-fever. Lies saw 

 anaemia of the brain and epileptic fits in a Mare after a dose of aloes, 

 etc. Some of the symptoms of rabies, especially towards the end of 'the 

 disease, are to be traced to anaemia of the brain, and have a great simi- 

 larity to calf-fever. Likewise the kind of aberration which is often notice- 

 able in cattle; here also there is anaemia of the brain. 



Saake gives a good instance of primary brain shock, which must come 

 under the head of calf-fever. A portion of the lower jaw of a Cow was 

 broken off by a blow, and the animal developed symptoms of illness 

 which, after Saake's assurance, any one would have taken for calf-fever, 

 had he not known the origin of it. These symptoms are in this case 

 clearly attributable to anaemia of the brain, arising from powerful stimu- 

 lation of the inhibitory fibres. The same happened in the case of a Dog 

 which received a heavy blow on the nose. 



Anaemia of the brain can, therefore, arise in the following ways, ex- 

 clusive of excessive haemorrhage : 



I St. Through excessive stimulation of the inhibitory fibres, caused by 

 painful injuries to the head. 



2d. By reflex paralysis of the vessels. 



3d. Through congestion of the brain in brain oedema. The latter is 

 clearly that in operation in calf-fever. 



Numberless are the hypotheses, as we have already said, as to the 

 origin of calf-fever. The most far-fetched is that which attributes it to 

 paralysis of the sympathetic nervous system. None of the symptoms of 

 the malady favor this belief. The nerve of the intestines is a vessel- 

 nerve, and, indeed, the largest vessel-nerve in the body. Were this to 

 be paralyzed, the vessels of the intestines would be paralyzed also, which 

 would clearly appear on dissection. 



In opposition to this, there is no doubt that in the course of the dis- 

 ease there is paralysis of the vagus. The quickened pulse, the labored 

 breathing, especially towards the end ; the paralysis of the pharynx, the 

 suspended peristalsis — all point to this with certainty. 



Harms, in his earlier days, was of opinion that the disease in question 

 arose from introduction of air into the veins. This is, however, most 

 improbable ; as if air be admitted into the veins, the symptoms are 

 quite different from those of calf-fever. Added to which, it is incompre- 

 hensible how, in normal parturition, air can get into the veins, as there is 

 no wounding of the uterus. Others believe that the malady comes from 

 infection. Results of dissection disprove this. Confounding calf-fever 

 yixXh/ebris puerperalis, which designates quite a different malady in man- 

 kind, has misled many people. Calf-fever in cattle is an eclampsia pirn-- 

 peralis. It has already been noticed that the malady can arise from 



