DISEASES INCIDEyrAL To I'llEOXAXCV. 189 



expression and attitudes. This manifestation is increased if the Mare 

 is compelled to walk, its first steps being extremely dillicult ; while the 

 limb is maintained in a perfectly rigid condition, and the indications of 

 pain most marked. In a short time these symjjtoms disappear, and 

 movement is restored. The cramp may pass from one hind limb to 

 another alternately, and appears to be due to the compression exer- 

 cised on the sciatic nex've in its course over the sacro-sciatic ligament. 

 This cramp has much analogy, in its symptoms, to luxation of the 

 patella ; from this it may be distinguished, however, by the latter 

 occurring most frequently in young animals, by the displacement of the 

 patella, and by the total inability to flex the limb until the patella has 

 been replaced. 



Cramp is of no moment, and can be relieved by walking the animal 

 for a few paces, or by smart friction. It disappears altogether after 

 parturition. 



Eclampsia. 



Saint-Cyr speaks of a report by Lafitte, in which three Bitches are 

 stated to have been affected with eclampsia during pregnancy. The 

 symptoms were acute clonic convulsions, which were at times remittent, 

 with unsteadiness of the limbs, but without total loss of sensibility, 

 hearing or vision. The successful treatment was milk diet, ten centi- 

 grammes of fucsine morning and evening in milk, and at the same 

 periods enemata of chloral hydrate. 



Cerebral Cnnrjestion. 



Saint-Cyr and Violet speak of cerebral congestion as one of the con- 

 comitants of pregnancy, and they, as well as some English and 

 foreign veterinary surgeons, consider it identical with the condition 

 known as " parturient apoplexy." But it would appear that this ante- 

 partum cerebral congestion is very rare, and is due to a plethoric condi- 

 tion and lack of exercise ; though, as has been observed, and as will be 

 again remarked, this and other affections of the nervous system some- 

 times witnessed during this period, may be due to uncmia and albumin- 

 uria, which are not unfrequently the cause of similar disturbances in 

 woman. 



Reference to the symptoms and treatment of this brain congestion 

 will therefore be deferred until post- part tun congestioii or apoplexy is 

 dealt with. 



7///.s7r /•/</. 



This would appear to be a very infrequent concomitant of pregnancy, 

 as I can only find one instance recorded. 



Olver ( Veterinary Journal, vol. vii., p. 36") dc-icnla's the cane of n thoroii^jhhred 

 Mare, four months pregii.int, which was suddenly attacked with trrt-at nervcuis excite- 

 ment, accompanied by profuse pi-rsjiiration, great difficulty in walking, straddlintr gait, 

 continual micturition, etc. The 8li^;htcst noise increased the excitement. There wa"* 

 great rigidity of the muscles, particularly those of the gluteal region, and at a later 

 period volition appeared to he. abolished, the limbs acting merely as mechanical 

 props ; the eyes were turned upwards as if in a trance, and the animal was quite blind ; 

 there was frequent neighing, and continual o]>ening and closing of the viilva, with 

 the expulsion of small qu.'intities of urine, and a highly congested condition of the 

 vaginal mticou.i membrane ; the pulse was eighty-two f)er minute, and the respirations 

 Were accelerated. There wa-s every symptom of nostrum. .\b there was difficulty in 

 swallowing, coniie wa-< injected subcutaneously, and with the most satisfactory effect. 

 Next day she was still perfectly blind, and even more nervous ; but she had gradually 

 recovered consciousness, and took a little f<K>d. The pulse in the evening was n'>rmal. 



