104 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 



the cavity in the location corresponding to the place where the injury 

 was inflicted externally. In some cases pus is also discovered. It 

 remains to be said that in all animals that hav6 died from this affec- 

 tion the lung3 are found very much congested. This may lead the 

 superficial observer to suppose that the disease was a lung affection, 

 but in fact it is only a natural consequence when death ensues from 

 brain disease. 



APOPLEXY. 



That form of congestion of the brain known as parturient apoplexy, 

 or parturient paresis, which is so frequently associated with the period 

 of calving, is described in another part of this work. (See "Milk 

 fever," p. 222.) 



Cerebral apoplexy, not connected with parturition, is a rare disease 

 among cattle. However, it may be due to degeneration and consequent 

 rupture of a blood vessel in the brain. 



The attack is sudden, the animal in most cases falling as if it had 

 received a blow on the head. It may stagger and reel some time before 

 going down. After falling, there are convulsive movements of the 

 legs or the animal sinks into insensibility. There may be remissions 

 in the severity of the symptoms, but the pressure from the continued 

 escape of blood soon causes death. Rest, quiet, friction to the legs 

 and surface, frequent turning of the animal and cold to the head are 

 to be practiced, if treatment is attempted. 



CONGESTION OP THE BRAIN. 



There is a form of congestive apoplexy affecting cattle which are 

 in a plethoric condition. The congestion, or overfilling with blood, 

 causes pressure on the brain substance and disorganizes its function. 

 It occurs mostly in hot weather. In this disease the symptoms are 

 somewhat similar to those exhibited when the animal has encephalitis, 

 but the onset is more sudden, the duration is shorter, and there is less 

 fever. There may be frenzy or coma or alternations, one with the 

 other. The intelligence is diminished, staring eyes, bracing with the 

 legs, pressing against the stall partition or manger, red mucous mem- 

 branes. This condition usually terminates in recovery. 



In such cases bleeding should be resorted tp immediately, and when 

 the power of swallowing is not lost purgatives should be administered. 

 Cold applications to the head, and the general treatment recommended 

 for encephalitis are indicated. 



CONCUSSION OP THE BRAIN. 



Severe blows on the head, striking the head against some hard object 

 while running, or falling on the head, may cause concussion of the 

 brain. The injury may fracture bones of the cranium and produce 

 compression of the brain. 



