PAUTriUKXT APnl'LEXY—rrEIU'EnAL COLLAl'SE. 013 



hours after calving, then it nearly always terminates in death. It is the 

 same when the attack is very sudden and severe ; when there is marked 

 coma, rapid and general loss of heat, great distension of the rumen 

 (which may speedily cause asphyxia), violent convulsions, deep mucous 

 niU\s in the trachea and bronchi, lustreless eyes — insensible to light or 

 touch ; paralysis of the digestive organs — indicated by meteorismus, 

 torpidity of the bowels, so that the rectum remains empty when it has 

 been evacuated ; as well as paralysis of the pharynx and cisophagus — 

 shown by inability to swallow; suspended lacteal secretion, relaxed 

 sphincters, putling breathing by the mouth, pendulous lower jaw, and 

 total suppression of milk. 



The favourable indications are maintenance of the normal tempera- 

 ture in body and limbs, or the slightest elevation when this is low ; natural 

 tint of the mucous membranes; expulsion of the urine either spontane- 

 ously or when the linger is introduced into the urethra ; and, according 

 to Schaack, " a mode of respiration in which the animal retains its 

 breath for an instant, then allows the air to escape by a long and slightly 

 plaintive expiration." 



It is likewise a very favourable sign when the faeces are passed. A 

 return to consciousness is also, of course, a happy omen, and particularly 

 if the animal attempts to rise, desires food or drink, and the lacteal 

 secretion begins to reappear. 



In some cases, however, there appears to be slight recovery, and yet 

 fatal relapse takes place. The pulse will also aid in forming an opinion 

 as to the probable termination of the malady. 



The longer the disease continues, so the more hope there is of re- 

 covery ; though there is all the more danger of pneumonia from extrane- 

 ous matters in the bronchi, if the coma or the paralysis of the muscles 

 of deglutition lasts for some days. Weigand says that when an animal 

 continues lying for six to eight days, unless it can eat and drink, it 

 should be killed. 



Causes. 



The unanimous opinion with regard to this disease is that it is peculiar 

 to the puerperal condition, and that it has a close relation to the state 

 of the Cow previous to parturition, and to a more or less marked breed or 

 individual predisposition. So far as breed is concerned, it is a fact that 

 the Cows most liable to be attacked are those in which the secretion of 

 milk is abundant — "deep milkers" — and which are in a more or lees 

 plethoric condition. \Vith the perfecting of Cows for the production of 

 milk, this disease has become vastly more prevalent. Numerous 

 observers testify to this fact. " Since in Algau," writes Bentele, " the 

 Cow has been so largely utilised for the production of cheese — converted 

 into a milk machine, in fact — the previously unknown calving-fever has 

 appeared." 



So it is, that in countries or districts where Bovines arc reared more 

 for their Hesh than their milk, parturient apoplexy is not a very common 

 malady, and the losses from it are comparatively small. It is, therefore, 

 a disease almost peculiar to the best breeds of milch Cows, and the 

 malady has extended with the extension of these breeds. For instance, 

 in North Ilolland it appears to have been completely unknown forty years 

 ago ; but when attempts were made to improve the milking qualities of 

 the Cows by importing numbers from South Holland — where they are 

 " deep milkers," and where the disease is very frequent — then it showed 



