178 THE NATURE AND TREATMENT OF 



It is generally supposed that this disease first manifests it- 

 self in some part of the tissues entering into "the composition 

 of the reproductive organs ; or, in other language, primary 

 congestion and irritation of the womb, ending in cerebral con- 

 gestion and convulsions. The cerebral congestion, however, 

 is not always the cause of convulsions, for we have many cases 

 on record in which phlebotomy was practised on the heroic 

 plan — an incredible amount of blood having been abstracted — 

 without arresting the convulsions. Hence, in such cases con- 

 gestion is the result^ not the cause of convulsions. A very 

 eminent physician (Dr. Logan) has stated, as the result of 

 observation, that puerperal convulsions were generally found in 

 females of highly organized nervous systems, and who were 

 peculiarly susceptible to irritation of that system, yet our ex- 

 perience in this country, in cattle practice, confirms what we 

 have written in the preceeding part of this article ; viz., that 

 puerperal convulsions are more frequent among fat animals 

 than in those of lean condition. The theory of Dr. Logan 

 may in the main be correct, for a lean animal (nervous tem- 

 perament), can, by artificial means, be brought into the condi- 

 tion known as plethora. 



Youatt contends that "cows in high condition are most sub- 

 ject to an attack of puerperal fever. Their excess of condition, 

 or state of plethora, disposes them to affections of an inflam- 

 matory character, at all times and under all circumstances." 



If it shall prove to be the case, that puerperal fever is the 

 result of uterine inflammation, we should diagnose the case as 

 puerperal hysteritis and treat accordingly. Puerperal hys- 

 teritis may, however, occur at any period of pregnacy. 



Symptoms. — The early symptoms attending a disease of 

 this character, are such as is found to prevail in disease of a 

 febrile character ; viz., loss of appetite, accelerated pulse and 

 respiration, the latter attended with strong but quick abdominal 

 flank movements. The tongue slightly coated ; the mouth hot 

 and clammy ; muzzle dry. There is also a sort of wildness 

 about the eyes ; the animal is nervous, and some unusual spas- 

 modic twitchings of the muscles will generally be observed. 



