154 
ON CRAMP IN THE TONGUE IN CATTLE. 
those who have, and gathering from their accounts as succinct a 
description as possible of every symptom. This account of it I 
now lay before the public, in order that my professional brethren 
may be induced to bring forward any information relative to the sub- 
ject with which their experience and practice may have furnished 
them. 
It appears that the attacks usually come on while the animal 
is feeding. It starts suddenly back from the manger — begins to 
breathe heavily and sonorously, and stretches out the head and sways 
it to and fro. It appears to be uneasy — it moves restlessly from side 
to side — becomes swollen or half suffocated, and voids much dung. 
If closely examined there will be seen an expression of suffering 
on the countenance ; the eyes are protruded, they roll in their 
sockets, and have a fiery glistening appearance. The veins of the 
head enlarge, and project in bold relief like cords. If one of them 
is pressed with the finger, the flow of blood can be distinctly felt. 
The ears stand erect — the nostrils work convulsively — the mouth 
is held open — and the whole face plainly speaks the agony which 
the animal is suffering. With regard to the state of the pulse, I 
am sorry to say that I know very little, for most of my informants 
have been men who understood little or nothing of that point. 
Should no one acquainted with the disorder happen to be pre- 
sent to administer the proper relief, the animal soon falls down 
and dies in violent convulsions. If the mouth is examined, the 
tongue is found to be curled up like a corkscrew, and drawn back- 
wards towards the upper part of the throat, on which it presses so 
violently as to make it evident that this is the cause of the con- 
vulsions, and that it is only necessary to bring the tongue into its 
natural position, in order, at once, to relieve the animal. Such 
is actually the case. No sooner is that done than the respiration 
becomes more free and regular, and every unfavourable Symptom 
disappears. 
This is the whole course of one attack, but many animals 
are again and again subject to it. Whether these attacks occur 
at stated intervals, or the having had one predisposes the ani- 
mal for others — whether each successive one is weaker or more 
violent — whether old or young animals are most subject to them, 
or what the effect of several on the constitution may be, I can- 
not take upon myself to say. From the foregoing symptoms, 
and the manner in which they can be relieved, it is evident that 
the seat of the disease is in the tongue. But still the question 
remains, What is the nature and cause of the disease 1 
It is well known that the puncture of the tongue by a needle or 
thorn, or any other sharp substance, will cause it to be spasmodically 
drawn back, and hence many superficial observers might be led 
