commonly known as Dropping after Calvin//. 257 
ingesta in the rumen passing into a state of fermentation, pro- 
ducing that distension of the viscus, termed tympanitis. This 
condition of the organ is accompanied with frequent eructa- 
tions, and what is most remarkable in connection with these is 
the passing of ingesta from the rumen into the oesophagus, its 
ascent up the tube to the mouth and its descent therefrom into 
the windpipe, and ultimately into the ramifications of the 
bronchial tubes. In such cases death depends not directly on 
the apoplectic state of the brain and spinal marrow, but upon 
suffocation — asphyxia. 
The tympanitic state of the rumen, apart from the eructations, 
adds greatly to the animal's suffering, by impeding the breath- 
ing, and thereby adding to the difficulty of the circulation. 
Exacerbations of suffering are well marked throughout, and are 
accompanied with spasmodic twitchings, and often with painful 
convulsions. The cow no longer rests on the belly, but struggles 
to get on her side, in doing which the head falls heavily on the 
floor, and generally in a line with the body. No effort on 
the part of those in attendance can prevent these spasms. Con- 
vulsion succeeds convulsion, only to cease with death. Such, in 
brief, are the symptoms which mark the existence and progress 
of parturient apoplexy. 
The duration of the disease varies, and, as can be readily 
understood, the recoveries are very few. The majority of the 
animals are found to sink in twenty to twenty-four hours from 
the attack. Life is rarely prolonged more than forty-eight 
hours ; indeed it often ceases within four to six hours in cases 
which are accompanied with convulsions from the beginning. 
In some instances the disease assumes a less serious type, and 
the cow is found to retain consciousness for a short time after 
dropping, to be followed, however, by coma, usually within the 
first twelve hours ; all the leading phenomena of the malady 
following in due course. Such cases are none the less fatal on 
this account ; but in the still rarer instances in which the animal 
does not exhibit a complete withdrawal of consciousness the reco- 
very is pretty certain. It would appear that, in such cases as 
these, the vessels of the spinal marrow only are in an apoplectic 
condition, those of the brain being congested, but not to engorge- 
ment. 
Occasionally, however, even in cases in which complete coma 
is present for twenty-four hours or upwards, the animal has 
been found to rally. Throughout the attack the cow has lain 
quiet, convulsions have had hardly any existence, and spas- 
modic twitchings of muscles have been only slightly marked. 
Returning consciousness is the most favourable indication of 
recovery, especially if associated with a temporary recognition 
VOL. XVI. — S. S. S 
