500 
ON PUERPERAL FEVER IN THE COW. 
independently thereof, as during-sleep, which, as just stated, affects 
only the cerebrum ; but we have in this state, especially during deep 
sleep, stertorous breathing, a condition in one respect analogous to 
the affection we are considering; but in this instance cerebral influ- 
ence is inoperative from disease. 
Deglutition is a reflex action, chiefly effected by the pharyngeal 
and oesophageal branches of the par vagum, which, having its centre 
of nervous power in the medulla oblongata, will also be impaired 
from the same causes as respiration. It has been ascertained by 
experiment that the brain may be carefully removed in some ani- 
mals, yet, by preserving entire the central and peripheral con- 
nexions of the par vagum, respiration and power of deglutition 
remain. Such respiration, however, is imperfect, and, in the absence 
of co-operation with other parts of the respiratory system, insuffi- 
cient for aerating blood requisite to sustain life any great length of 
time. Anencephalous foetuses furnish another example of this 
phenomenon. 
We now take a glance at the ganglionic, or that division of 
nervous system connected with nutrition and secretion, which is 
also supposed to regulate the action of internal muscular organs, 
as the heart, arteries, intestines, &c. — a function certainly different 
from any exercised by the others, yet intimately connected with 
both, anatomically and physiologically. 
Causes which we daily see in the human being applied to either 
the cerebral or true spinal systems, affect the ganglionic : witness 
the mental emotions on digestion, biliary or lacteal secretion, &c. 
Why should not the powerful excitement of parturition in some 
similar way affect the cow, producing, among the other derange- 
ments, arrestment of lacteal secretion? — an event, by whatever 
means effected, directly or indirectly, sadly mischievous. If, then, 
the centres with which this system is so intimately connected, and 
upon which it is in some measure dependent, is incapacitated 
from performing their functions, what can be anticipated but, first, 
a perverted action, and, ultimately, an entire cessation of its own ? 
Hence, I conceive, arises that torpidity of bowels and stomachs, 
and cessation of secretion and excretion, constituting the obstinate 
constipation complained of by practitioners ; a removal whereof, it 
may be said truly, is the first step towards recovery, indicating, as 
that removal does, a return of function to the diseased centres, or, 
so far as the ganglionic system is concerned, a renewal of mutual 
relation existing between the organs and materials for secretion. If 
constipation were the sole cause of this disease, why should its symp- 
toms be so totally different now from those ordinarily accompany- 
ing it? Inflammation of the lungs or bowels, for instance, exhibits 
no peculiar variation in symptoms, whether occurring at parturition 
