62 Veterinary Medicine. 



Eclampsia' from Uterine Disease has been noticed by Al- 

 brecht, in cows shortly after calving, the symptoms being spasms 

 of the neck, persistent extension or turning of the head, grind- 

 ing of the teeth, loss of consciousness, convulsive movements of 

 the legs, rolling of the eyes, and slow recovery. The same 

 symptoms have been observed in goats and have been sup- 

 posed to depend on a reflex from the irritated womb. Anothet 

 supposable cause is the absorption of toxic products from the 

 womb and vagina. Manifestly the removal of the after birth 

 and the disinfection of the womb, should be here employed 

 along with the ordinary nerve sedatives. 



Eclampsia in Nursing Female Dogs has long been attributed 

 to anaemia by English veterinarians. It occurs especially in high 

 bred bitches, when nursing a large litter and some weeks after 

 parturition when the puppies have grown large and, vigorous, 

 with proportionately increased demands on the maternal source of 

 supply. The dam shows an emaciated aspect, with restless anx- 

 ious eyes, a wearied expression, and a generally exhausted ap- 

 pearance. There is weakness and swaying behind, or complete 

 inability to use the limbs, the animal goes down, trembles vio- 

 lently and shows clonic spasms of the extensors of the legs, the 

 neck, the back, the face and the eye. Breathing is accelerated, 

 stertorous and labored, the heart beats violently, the mucous mem- 

 branes are congested, and the mouth is opened with convulsive 

 movements of the jaws and throat. The attack is readily dis- 

 tinguished from epilepsy, by the retention of sensation, and by 

 the absence of involuntary passages from the bowels, or kidneys. 

 Recovery is likely to be secured if the puppies or most of them 

 are removed early enough and the bitch sustained by nourishing 

 food, and tonics. The spasms may be combated by the anti- 

 spasmodics and nerve sedatives employed in epilepsy. Chloroform, 

 morphia, phenacetin, acetanilid, urethane have been especially 

 commended. Beef teas, cod-liver oil, and iron may be resorted 

 to and free outdoor exercise and sunshine should be secured. 



General convulsions are common in connection with direct in- 

 jury to the brain and more particularly of its coverings, (cranial 

 bones, meninges) . In such cases the irritation which otherwise 

 starts at a distance and reaches the brain through the afferent 

 nerves, or the modification of the circulation acts directly on the 



