260 
Observations on the Disease of Cows, 
space of 120 hours; and although the coma yielded somewhat 
during the time, she never became fully conscious, nor rose from 
the recumbent position. On making a post-mortem examina- 
tion the upper portion of the sheath of the spinal cord, from 
its origin to the extent of several inches, was found deeply 
stained of a red colour, and a considerable amount of gelatinous 
exudation of serum existed between the cord and its sheath. 
Nothing can more satisfactorily prove the true nature of 
dropping after calving than lesions such as these. 
Treatment. — It cannot be expected in a disease like par- 
turient apoplexy that curative measures would prove effica- 
cious except in very rare instances. Some practitioners centre 
all their hopes of cure on being able by a free use of cathartic 
agents to excite the bowels to increased action. Others rely on 
unloading the surcharged blood-vessels by blood-lettings ; and 
others again, by the use of stimulants, to rouse suspended nerve 
force that the blood may thus be driven through the congested 
and disabled vessels, and the balance of the circulation re-esta- 
blished. Besides these means we meet with practitioners who^ 
regarding ^the disease as milk-fever, direct their efforts mainly 
to restoring the lacteal secretion by frequent drawing at the 
teats. The value of these measures may be said to consist 
rather in their combination than in their individuality ; and it 
may therefore be said that none of them should be neglected. 
With reference to the withdrawal of blood, it may be stated that 
its advantages will depend on the stage of the disease when the 
animal is first seen. Should the cow be still standing, although 
supporting the position with the greatest difficulty, or even 
should she be down, but not yet in a comatose condition, a 
copious blood-letting should be adopted. If blood be abstracted, 
it should flow until the pulse wavers from its loss ; but if coma 
should have set in, no justification can be found for blood-letting. 
We have often known the abstraction of blood in this stage to 
speedily bring about a fatal termination. 
As with the withdrawal of blood, so with the exhibition of 
cathartic medicine, it should be early adopted. A compound 
formed of sulphate of magnesia, powdered croton, compound tinc- 
ture of aloes, and a small quantity of calomel, will be found to be 
as good as any. The dose should be a powerful one, consisting 
of three-fourths to a pound of the sulphate of magnesia, twenty 
to thirty grains of cro ton-seed, four to six ounces of compound 
tincture of aloes, and a drachm of calomel ; for if an impress 
can be made on the nerves of organic life by arousing the 
half-suspended peristaltic action of the intestines, great good 
will be done. We hold, indeed, that benefit results more from 
quickening the peristaltic movements than by the mere evacu- 
