194 
PARALYSIS. 
two afterwards they reel greatly with the hind extremities, 
and there is evident danger of their falling, especially if they 
are caused to move round in a small space. They are like- 
wise disinclined to lie down, apparently from fear of being 
unable to rise ; and in very severe cases there is a somewhat 
anxious appearance of the countenance, and partial loss of 
voluntary power in the fore extremities. 
The bowels are rather costive, while, judging from the 
quality and quantity of urine which is voided, the kidneys 
are unimpaired. Unless the case is advanced, or the animal 
severely seized, the respiration is undisturbed, while the 
pulse, both in its volume and frequency, is also normal. The 
mortality amongst the affected animals is not great, nor does 
there appear any weakness following convalescence. Most 
of those cases that I have observed to terminate fatally, had 
either been injudiciously treated, or too long time had been 
allowed to elapse before any remedies were adopted. In such 
instances the animals, from their inability to stand, fell 
down, and became extremely restless, exhibiting also symp- 
toms of congestion of the brain, which terminated in death. 
The post-mortem appearances, as far as I have been able to 
observe them, present no great organic lesion. Indeed in 
many cases I have been much disappointed at not seeing any 
very satisfactory causes for the fatal termination, although they 
may have been proportionate to the symptoms developed 
during the animal's illness. In some instances there has 
been evident congestion of the brain ; while I have fancied 
that in the lumbo-sacral region the medulla spinalis was some- 
what softened in its substance, and the membrane injected, 
and containing likewise an extra quantity of fluid. Other ab- 
normal appearances which I may occasionally have met with, 
in either the thorax, abdomen, or pelvis, I believe not to have 
been essentially connected with the disease itself. 
The causes of this disease, which is familiarly known in 
the district under the name of staggers, have, as in many 
other instances where these were difficult of detection, been 
attributed to atmospheric influence. This opinion, how- 
ever, I think has never been sufficiently substantiated ; 
moreover, the disease has been eradicated by the removal of 
those things we consider the true exciting causes, when to all 
appearance the atmospherical influences were as they had 
formerly been. 
Mr. Storrer asserts, and Mr. Litt, in his communication, 
supports the statement that the disease is the result of pas- 
turing or soiling animals on rye-grass when the plant is in a 
peculiar condition, i. e ., “at the period when the grass is 
