g28 Veterinary Obstetrics 



ence of strange animals or surroundings, thereby causing ma- 

 ternal anxiety. This apparently has an effect in some cases in 

 the cause of parturient paresis of the cow. 



5. It is quite universally recognized that, when parturient 

 paresis occurs soon after calving, at which epoch virtually all 

 cases occur, the malady uniformly follows a very prompt and 

 easy birth. No case has been recorded, so far as we can find, 

 where parturient paresis in the cow has followed dystokia. 



Pathology. As already stated, the pathology of the dis- 

 ease is unknown. Post-mortem examination reveals changes 

 of an interesting character, which tend to throw some light upon 

 the symptoms and course of the disease, without, however, 

 making clear its exact character. 



Because of the well-marked coma and the general disturbance 

 of the nervous system, the condition of the brain and the spinal 

 cord become of great interest. The dura mater is apparently 

 sound, though in some cases a serous exudate exists beneath it. 

 The pia mater is said to be somewhat congested ; the veins, es- 

 pecially, are distended with blood. The interpretation of the 

 conditions in the brain varies with different observers. Some 

 have found the brain substance anaemic, while others have con- 

 sidered it congested. Hemorrhages are sometimes found upon 

 the surface of the brain. Harms found emphy.sema beneath the 

 pia mater and in the veins of the canal of the spinal cord. 



The heart is usually pale and distended with blood, and occa- 

 sionally shows ecchymoses of varying size. 



The condition of the lungs is exceedingly variable. Harms 

 found them edematous or emphysematous, but observed no 

 foreign bodies in them. We have repeatedly discovered particles 

 of food far down in the bronchial tubes, and in some cases of 

 sudden death have found the larger bronchi completely occluded 

 by food masses. In other instances we have been able to rec- 

 ognize the presence of drugs in the bronchial tubes, which had 

 been forced upon the cow in the form of a drench some hours 

 previously. 



The alimentary tract, liver, spleen and urinary organs are 

 usually comparatively normal. In the uterus there are no very 

 remarkable changes. In harmony with the history of the di.sea.se, 

 the uterus is not normally contracted. Like other organs of the 

 body, the uterus is anaemic. 



