THE NERVOUS SYSTEM 353 



ing to find its feet, it is astonishing how rapidly recovery ensues. 

 Again, cases have occurred where portions of the occipital bone 

 which articulate with the first bone of the neck (atlas) have been 

 fractured, but not displaced, until several hours after. In one case 

 which came under my observation, on the animal falling over back- 

 wards, it instantly jumped up, walked about a dozen steps, then fell 

 on its side as if shot, lying with legs extended, eyeballs rolling about, 

 breathing heavily, and giving now and again a few spasmodic 

 struggles with the fore-legs. It never rose again, and finally died 

 suddenly, from the fractured pieces of bone becoming displaced, and 

 pressing upon the medulla oblongata — the connecting medium 

 between the brain and spinal cord. In cases of this kind, it is 

 advisable to keep the animal as quiet as possible, and await results. 



578. Apoplexy, or Congestion of the Brain, is extremely 

 rare, though very sudden in its attack. It may be described as 

 occurring in two forms — either from some organic lesion of the 

 brain, or from reflex functional derangement. In the former it may 

 be due to an overloaded or congested state of bloodvessels, causing 

 pressure on the brain substance, or from rupture of a vein with 

 hemorrhage, and the formation of a clot, causing loss of power and 

 sensation. When such cases affect the horse, sensibility and motion 

 are completely lost, a fatal termination occurring in a few hours. 



579. Functional Apoplexy. — This may be best described under 

 that very common complaint known as parturient apoplexy. 



DERANGEMENTS AND DISEASES OF THE 



NERVOUS SYSTEM. 



580. Parturient Apoplexy, Milk- Fever, or Dropping after 



Calving (a partial or total loss of power). — Of all our domestic 



animals the cow is by far the greatest sufferer from this complaint, 



though, as a rule, it is only attacked at the third or subsequent 



calving. The Ayrshire and shorthorn breeds seem most predisposed 



to it, but in certain localities and on certain soils heavy milkers of 



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