376 BOVINE PATHOLOGY. 



CHAPTER YIII.— DISEASES OF THE NERVOUS 



SYSTEM. 



The nervous system of the ox is not very highly 

 developed as a whole, though, perhaps, the sympathetic 

 portion somewhat exceeds the average. The brain is more 

 rounded and tilted upwards anteriorly than that of the 

 horse ; it has not such a numerous and complex state of 

 the convolutions. The spinal cord, and cerebral, spinal, 

 and sympathetic nerves present no special differences in the 

 two animals. 



Section 1. — The Ceeebro-spinal System. 



The brain seems to be especially affected by inflam- 

 mation, apoplexy, and those ill-ascertained conditions 

 known as epilepsy. 



Phrentis — Inflammation of the Brain — preferably may be 

 called Encephalitis, since we cannot diagnose inflammation 

 of the brain or Cerebritis, in which simply the cere- 

 brum is involved, from that diseased action of an inflam- 

 matory nature which involves both brain and membranes. 

 Aitkin, as quoted by Williams, gives the following 

 features of distinction between cerebral and meningeal 

 disease. The former is characterised by loss of some 

 proper nerve function from the first, not at all by high 

 exaggeration of function nor vascular excitement, and 

 paralysis, anaBsthesia, loss of volition, are its distinctives. 

 In the latter, loss of nerve force takes place only some 

 time after the attack commenced ; it is generally pre- 

 ceded by exaggeration of function and much vascular 

 excitement and local disturbance. Also spasms, pain, 



