REVIEW— COMPENDIUM OF CATTLE MEDICINE. 55 
pal disease is found to exist in the brain and spinal cord ; the lat- 
ter, in the greatest degree, at the region of the loins. The cord 
itself is often discoloured, and the vessels of the membrane imme- 
diately covering it injected with blood, and sometimes these ves- 
sels are ruptured. The brain often presents a similar appearance, 
though in a less marked degree. The third stomach is nearly 
always full of hard and indigestible food ; and sometimes the 
other viscera present appearances of inflammation. The uterus 
is generally found in the same state as it usually is a few days 
after parturition ; but, occasionally, it is discovered in a state of 
the most intense inflammation. In these cases, inflammation of 
the uterus and vagina appears added to the other disease. When 
such is the case, there is usually great pain exhibited, and the 
inspection of the organs of generation shews great inflammation. 
The symptoms of the milder form of this disease are much less 
severe ; the animal drops, and is unable to rise ; but continues 
feeding, and possesses consciousness and sensibility. The dis- 
ease is a local one, affecting the spinal cord, but confined to the 
loins. The bowels are costive, and the bladder often loses the 
power of discharging its contents. If the case goes on favourably, 
the animal rises of her own accord in the course three days or a 
week. In both affections the digestive organs, altogether, are 
greatly deranged, and, as Mr. Simonds well expresses it, the food, 
no longer obeying the laws of vitality, is acted on by those of 
chemistry : fermentation often takes place, and the animal is fre- 
quently hoven. With respect to the cause of this disease, and 
why it should be confined to the cow, a satisfactory solution has 
not been afforded. It appears, however, to be the fact, that 
cows in good condition are more susceptible of the disease than 
those in a poorer ; and it more commonly appears after the ani- 
mal has had four or five calves. Mr. J Hawthorn advises, with 
a view of preventing the disease, to lower the diet for several 
days before and after calving, and that the milk should be drawn 
at the same time. 
Treatment . — In treating this disease, it is very important to 
ascertain whether it belongs to the severe or the mild variety, as 
on this the activity of the treatment must in some measure de- 
pend. It will also assist our prognosis to ascertain whether the 
secretion of milk continues or not, as it has been found that, in 
the former case, the «ow usually recovers, and in the latter gene- 
rally dies. If the animal feels cold, it will be desirable to exhibit 
some diffusible stimulant in the first instance, such as an ounce 
of nitrous ether. Bleeding must depend on the state of the 
pulse: if full and bounding, we should abstract sufficient blood 
to render it softer and weaker ; if, however, the pulse is weak. 
