PARTURIENT PARESIS 91 



Pre-parturient Attacks 



The treatment of cases occurring before parturition 

 is exactly the same as that for eases after parturition. 



Eclamptic Symptoms 



In occasional cases of parturient paresis the cow may 

 show symptoms of eclampsia. There is not a very well 

 marked degree of coma; but instead more or less nerv- 

 ousness, with musciilar twitchings. In this form there 

 is a true dysphagia, usually accompanied by spasmodic 

 contractions in the region of the larynx. In typical 

 parturient paresis a certain degree of dysphagia is 

 also present, probably due to the general coma or 

 lifelessness. In the cases presenting eclamptic signs 

 the dysphagia is a true one, apparently due to neurotic 

 hyper-tension. These cases are to be given the air 

 treatment as in typical cases. By no means administer 

 strychnin in this form of the disease. "VVe have seen 

 grave symptoms of strychnin poisoning from a half- 

 grain hypodermic dose in such cases. The atropin 

 injection is ideal for these, and is usually followed 

 by prompt cessation of the nervousness. 



It has been our experience that the cases showing 

 symptoms of eclampsia make the quickest recoveries; 

 it is only necessary to omit the administration of 

 strychnin. Otherwise the treatment is the same as 

 for the typical cases. 



Complications 



AVhen parturient paresis occurs in company with 

 such conditions as a retained placenta or an everted 

 uterus no attempt should be made to correct these 

 abnormalities until the treatment for parturient pa- 



