146 
PUERPERAL OR MILK FEVER IN CATTLE. 
parts which go to form the tout-ensemble of the countenance ; 
and when we recollect, also, from the peculiar action of some 
of the muscles concerned, that this must necessarily be consi- 
dered an organic motor nerve, as well as a voluntary one ; and if 
we go on to consider its anastomoses with the par vagum (the 
cerebro-visceral of Mr. Youatt), the spinal accessory, the great 
sympathetic* (great organic of Mr. Youatt), all organic motor 
nerves, surely it will not be considered to be stretching a point, 
to conceive that this haggardness and dejection of countenance 
arises from the circumstance of the withdrawal of the necessary 
influence of the organic motor nerves. That they do unite with 
that portion which is voluntary, is a well known anatomical fact ; 
and that they do this for some wise end, will also be as readily 
conceded. My opinion is, that one reason why they do this (and 
the only reason which on this part of the subject concerns us) 
is, that the beautiful, harmonious blending and assemblage of 
parts, which together forms the healthy, painless countenance, 
is wisely placed under the direction of organic nerves. Those of 
voluntary motion have services to perforin which are transient, 
and end with the occasion which called them into action ; that of 
the organic nerves is ceaseless and unvarying. But if this be 
lost, as I believe it to be in these cases, what must be the result, 
but that vague, formless, dejected expression, which cows under 
this disease always exhibit ? 
Next in order stands an imperfect secretion of milk. Here 
I believe I shall not find much difficulty in establishing the 
position, that this is to be traced to the organic motor nerves, 
both indirectly and directly too. I will assume that I have 
proved “ that it is from want of power in the three first sto- 
machs that the food which ought to go on to the abomasum 
and intestines for the purpose of digestion, and supplying the 
lacteals, 8cc., is delayed in them, and consequently they are 
thus indirectly concerned in stopping the supply of milkf. 
Secondly, though there may be and is a sufficiency for im- 
mediate supply, yet the lacteals are not able to avail them- 
selves of it, because the influence which ought to direct them 
is wanting here. No muscle or vessel in the whole body per- 
forms any action but under the direction of some nerves, and 
those which operate on the lacteals are, and can only be, organic 
ones. Thus it appears that, both directly and indirectly, the sus- 
pended secretion is to be traced to them. 
* I shall after this, when I have occasion to notice any of these nerves, 
adopt the nomenclature of Mr. Youatt, as being more comprehensive and 
more adapted to the functions they have to perform in the animal under 
consideration. 
f “You take my life, when you do take the means which doth support it.” — 
Shakspeare. 
