THE NERVOUS SYSTEM. 377 



and delirium^ are present. Sometimes abscess in the 

 brain occurs. 



The disease usually described as phrenitis is primarily 

 congestive, subsequently inflammatory. ' It is vulgarly 

 known as ^' Phrensy,'^ and is highly acute. The exag- 

 geration of cerebral functions and of vascular excitement 

 are very marked. Perhaps the shortness of the neck of 

 the ox proves a predisposing cause to this and apoplectic 

 conditions against which even the complex Rete Mirabile 

 at the base of the brain is not always an efficient preven- 

 tive. Encephalitis is not of rare occurrence, and is espe- 

 cially prevalent in hot countries and hot seasons, and more 

 particularly affects working oxen^ those exposed in pastures, 

 and plethoric males. 



It is found that the disease also is less prevalent now 

 than formerly, perhaps due to less frequent over- driving 

 and greater care of animals. Fortunately, too, bull- 

 baiting, which would tend in this direction, is under 

 the ban of public opinion. Sometimes injury is the 

 cause. 



The congestive stage is denoted by a highly injected 

 condition of the conjunctival membrane, together with a 

 condition of stupor, during which the pulse is slow, 

 respirations infrequent, there is a tendency to somnolence, 

 and the patient is " foolish. ^^ Soon general febrile sym- 

 ptoms and the true phrenitic signs are developed. A 

 wild and staring condition of the eyes, bellowing, and 

 charging at all available objects. This is the stage of 

 delirium. When the disease is more advanced, convul- 

 sions are present, and there is a gradual tendency to loss 

 of power as denoted by frequent falling. The patient is 

 throughout the delirious stage all but unapproachable ; 

 the pulse is full and bounding, the respirations are not 

 usually accelerated, but sometimes slower than usual. 

 There is a want of method in the fury of a phrenitic ox 

 not discernible in that of a rabid one. Later, paralysis 

 sets in, and is succeeded by death. 



Treatment. — The beast having been secured and con- 

 fined by the horns, blood may be abstracted to consider- 



