EPILEPSY IN A COW. 
461 
I will here pause to give an answer to a question which has 
been repeatedly put to me, Why horses foaled with knees arching 
forward are always safe goers ; for it is a notorious fact : it is 
simply the greater natural length of the muscles of the fore-arm 
than of the bones of the leg ; and hence there is an unusually 
increased degree of muscular power ; for I never yet saw such a 
leg that was small and mean in any of its proportions as regarded 
circular admeasurement. 
[To be continued.] 
EPILEPSY IN A COW. 
By W. A. Cartwright, M.R.C.V.S . , Whitchurch . , Salop. 
May 1 3th, 1847. — I was called in, 2 P.M., to attend a cow, seven 
years old, belonging to Mr. Hales, of Marbury. 
Last night, while milking her, she was observed to blink her 
eyes and contract the muscles of her head and neck spasmodically, 
but she gave her usual quantity of milk. This morning she was 
found to be very ill, but the owner thought she only had the 
belly-ache, and did nothing to her. 
Symptoms . — She is lying down in the back part of the cow- 
house, closing her eyes spasmodically, and when doing so her head 
is suddenly twitched up and down, first to one side, then to the 
other. I attempted to drive her up, but she tried several times, 
and could only partiall} 7 raise herself. At length, however, she 
managed to do so, and we drove her out into the yard, towards a 
loose box, but when out she sank quietly down upon the pavement. 
Soon afterwards she got up again, and reached the box. The pulse 
now was very quick and bounding. As I did not doubt the disease 
lay in the head and spine, I took about six quarts of blood ; blis- 
tered the back of the head and along the spine ; gave purgative 
medicine, and ordered a restricted diet, and quietude. 
14 th . — 11 A.M. She is better, but still has great difficulty in 
rising. When down, she throws at times her head about, and 
struggles, and breathes short. The spasmodic action of the eye- 
lids and neck still continues, but not so often. Abstract four quarts 
of more blood, and repeat the blisters, the last not having taken 
much effect. Also give some fever medicine, and keep her quiet. 
1 5th. — Better, but still very ill: leave her alone until to- 
morrow. 
16 th . — This morning I found her standing up, and great im- 
provement had taken place in her state. In the course of the night 
VOL. xx. 3 P 
