232 
Splenic Apoplexy. 
again, is an instance of the blood leaving its vessels, and lying, as 
it were, in tlie interstices of the muscles. As with the abdominal 
effusions, so with those which take place in other organs of the 
body — the blood is always fluid. 
It not unfrequently happens, if an animal bears up against the 
disease longer than ordinary — the duration of the malady being 
seldom more than eighteen hours — that such changes are wrought 
in the condition of the flesh as render it poisonous. Cases had 
come to his knowledge in which pigs, having eaten such flesh when 
thrown into a yard, had died within a few hours. Dogs had also 
been affected in a similar manner. These facts still further show 
that this disease is truly one that produces chemical changes in the 
blood. 
The duration of the malady is necessarily short, the animals 
attacked seldom surviving more than twenty-four hours ; indeed, 
the major part of them die in six or eight hours. Death sometimes 
takes place even within two hours after the attack. The percentage 
of deaths would often be found as high as ninety. 
As to the symptoms, there rule, no premonitory ones. 
The animals usually feed and are apparently doing well up to the 
time of the attack. AVhen the symptoms first show themselves they 
are also very often not of an alarming character. The animal 
stands with its back arched, it has a difiiculty of progression, a 
staggering gait, and a twitching of the muscles. Paralysis suc- 
ceeds. The countenance is dull and dispirited, and the head pendu- 
lous ; a frothy saliva comes from the mouth ; the breathing is 
laboured and difficult, and the pulse augmented, becoming tremu- 
lous and indistinct as the disease advances. Colicky pains come 
on, and when effusion into the intestinal canal takes place these 
pains are associated with diarrhoea and blood-coloured evacuations. 
The urine also is frequently discoloured with blood. The animal 
falls, and generally dies in convulsions, the immediate cause of 
death being cerebral disturbance. Some die frantic, others in a 
state of coma. 
With regard to the treatment of the disease, no confidence can be 
placed in any one method in particular. All blood affections are 
exceedingly fatal, and generally run their course so quickly that 
scarcely anything can be done to arrest them. They may, however, 
often be prevented ; indeed, prevention is the pathologist's chief 
concern, on which some light might be thrown in the discussion. 
Ilis object was not so much to give a complete lecture on splenic 
apoplexy as to make a few remarks introductory to the Eeport, 
which bo would now proceed to read : — 
EEPORT. 
To the Veterinary Committee of the Itoyal Agricultural Society. 
Gexti.kmex, — I have to report that, in accordance with your in- 
structions, I have investigated the circumstances connected with 
the disease which has of late years prevailed among the cattle and 
