106 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 



paralysis. However, this is but a slight drawback in cattle, because 

 when it is seen to persist the medicine should be stopped and the ani- 

 mal fattened for butchering. 



Post-mortem examinations discover congestion of the brain and its 

 membranes. In those cases which have exhibited much paralysis of 

 the hind legs before death the cord may be congested in the lumbar 

 region (loins). AAlien the disease has been caused by injury to the 

 head, the congestion and extravasated blood may be found inside of 

 the cavity in the location corresponding to tlie place where the injury 

 was inflicted externally. In some cases pus is also discovered. It 

 remains to be said that in all animals that have died from this affec- 

 tion the lungs are found very much congested. This may lead the 

 siiperficial observer to suppose that the disease was a lung affection, 

 but in fact it is only a natural consequence when death ensues from 

 brain disease. 



That form of congestion of the l)rain known as parturient apo- 

 plexy, or parturient paresis, which is so frequently associated with the 

 period of calving, is described in another part of this work. (See 

 "Milk fever," p. 228.) 



Cerebral apoplexy, not connected with parturition, is a rare disease 

 among cattle. However, it may be due to degeneration and conse- 

 quent rupture of a blood vessel in the brain. 



The attack is sudden, the animal in most cases falling as if it had 

 received a blow on the head. It may stagger and reel some time 

 before going down. After falling, there are convulsive movements 

 of the legs or the animal sinks into insensibility. There may be re- 

 missions in the severity of the symptoms, but the pressure from the 

 continued escape of blood soon causes death. Rest, quiet, friction 

 to the legs and surface, frequent turning of the animal and cold to 

 the head are to be practiced, if treatment is attempted. 



CONGESTION OF THE BRAIN. 



There is a form of congestive apoplexy affecting cattle which are 

 in a plethoric condition. The congestion, or overfilling with blood, 

 causes pressure on the brain substance and disorganizes its function. 

 It occurs mostly in hot weather. In this disease the symptoms are 

 somewhat similar to those exhibited when the animal has encephalitis, 

 but the onset is more sudden, the duration is shorter, and there is less 

 fever. There may be frenzy or coma, or alternations one with the 

 other. The intelligence is diminished, staring eyes, bracing with the 

 legs, pressing against the stall partition or manger, red mucous mem- 

 branes. This condition usually terminates in recovery. 



