134 DISEASES OP CATTLE. 



LIGHTNING STROKE ASPHYXIA ELECTKICA. 



When an animal is struck by lightning the shock is instantaneously 

 expended on the nervous system, and as a rule death occurs immedi- 

 ately, but when the shock is not fatal animation is suspended to a 

 greater or less extent, as evidenced by prostration, unconsciousness, 

 and paralysis. 



Symptoms. When not fatal, the symptoms vary much, according to 

 the severity of the shock. The animal usually falls, as from an apo- 

 plectic attack, and, as a matter of course, the symptoms are such as are 

 generally manifested in connection with concussion of the brain. The 

 muscular system may be completely relaxed; the legs limber; the 

 muscles flabby and soft to the touch, or there may be convulsions, 

 spasms, and twitching of the muscles. The breathing is generally 

 labored, irregular, or interrupted, and slower than normal. 



In most instances the electrical fluid leaves its mark by singeing the 

 hair, or by inflicting wounds, burns, or blisters. " Sir B. Brodie tells 

 a curious story of two bullocks, pied white and red, which were struck 

 in different storms. In both cases the white hairs were consumed, 

 while the red ones escaped." 



Treatment. So long as the beating of the heart is perceptible, the 

 endeavor to resuscitate the animal should be continued. Dash cold 

 water over the head and body ; rub the body and legs ; smartly whip 

 the body with wet towels or switches. Mustard, mixed with water, 

 should be well rubbed over the legs and back of the head on each side 

 of the neck. Inject into the rectum 4 drams of liquor ammonia fortis, 

 or 1 ounces of hartshorn diluted with a quart of warm water. Cau- 

 tiously hold an uncorked bottle of hartshorn to the nostrils, so that some 

 of it is inhaled, but care should be taken that too much is not suddenly 

 inhaled. 



In desperate cases, artificial respiration should be tried, as follows : 

 With both hands spread out to cover a large surface, press on the 

 abdomen (behind the ribs) and then on the chest (behind the shoulders), 

 and continue in this manner, first on the abdomen and then on the 

 chest in regular order, so that the chest and the abdomen are each 

 pressed on alternately about twenty times a minute. The pressure 

 should be slow and steady, so that the movement given by it to the 

 walls of the chest and abdomen will resemble their motion in breathing. 

 A hand bellows may be used as an aid to the foregoing method, as 

 follows : Each time after the chest is pressed on the nozzle is inserted 

 in the nostril and air slowly aiid gently forced in by the bellows. 



When the animal revives sufficiently to be able to swallow, 4 drams 

 of the liquor ammonia fortis, diluted with a quart of cold water, should 

 be given as a drench, and the dose should be repeated in an hour. One 

 and one-half ounces of ordinary hartshorn may be used instead of the 

 stronger liquor ammonia, but, like the latter, it should be diluted with 



