DISEASES OF THE BRAIN AND NERVOUS SYSTEM. 105 



staring, vacant manner, or ramble unconsciously about the box, striking 

 its head against everything that may come in the way, the eyes amauro- 

 tic, and the animal quite blind. 



Sometimes there is flaccidity or paralysis of the muscles supplied by 

 the cranial nerves, the lips are pendulous, and the tongue hangs out of 

 the mouth. At other times there will be tonic spasms of the facial mas- 

 ticatory muscles, and some degree of trismus present. 



The disease may attack the animal whilst at grass in the field. It is 

 then observed to ramble about in an unconscious, drowsy manner, until 

 it meets with some solid objects, against which it fixes its head, and then 

 moves its limbs continuously. 



In cases which have been noticed at the commencement of the attack, 

 some degree of rigor has always been observed premonitory to the devel- 

 opment of other symptoms. 



The above symptoms are subject to some variations. In some animals 

 the comatose and paralytic conditions are the most prominent through- 

 out, whilst in others delirium, convulsions, and spasmodic contractions 

 alternate with the stupor. In other cases, again, the spinal system seems 

 most affected, when paralysis, without loss of consciousness, or with but 

 a slight degree of drowsiness, is present. 



There appears to be a general ditninutiou of the various secretions; 

 the costiveness is obstinate; the urine is secreted in small quantities, and 

 is particularly high in color. The function of the liver is also suspended, 

 and the whole system becomes tinged with the non-excreted biliary color- 

 ing matter — biliverdine. 



As the disease advances, the coma is more profound, or the fits of ex- 

 citement and frenzy frequent and of shorter duration, leaving the animal 

 more and more enfeebled; the pulse is now small and quick, and the 

 breathing stertorous and difficult; profuse sweats bathe the body, the 

 sphincters relax, the animal is unable to stand, and dies fighting convul- 

 sively, or in a state of profound coma. Sometimes the animal throws 

 himself about madly, gets his feet in the manger, tears the rack with his 

 1 teeth, and breathes stertorously with his eyes apparently staring out of 

 their sockets. The pupils are fully dilated, no light will affect them, nor 

 is the horse sensible of surrounding objects. Some hard dry dung pellets 

 or a small quantity of highly colored urine may be passed. There is 

 spasmodic contraction of the muscles. 



Alternately with the violent fits, periods of repose and drowsiness 



