494 ESSAY ON INFLAMMATION OF THE BRAIN. 
the rumen. After their death, there flows from their mouth and 
nostrils and anus a black spumous blood. On different parts of the 
body, and in the subcutaneous cellular tissue, are emphysematous 
and crepitating tumours, whence, on incision, flows a black blood, 
mingled with fetid gas. The animals that die of apoplexy never 
have these emphysematous tumours, and if, after death, blood flows 
from the nostrils of some, that blood retains its ordinary colour, 
and a post-mortem examination presents only a bloody effusion in 
the brain. The distinction between these two classes of disease is 
important in a medical point of view, and with reference to legal 
proceedings.” 
Accidental causes . — These are sudden concussions of the brain 
from violent blows, or their contests with each other — the rupture 
of some vessels within the brain — hard and long-continued work 
during the hot season, especially if the beast, at the conclusion of 
his work, is not soon liberated from the yoke. 
Treatment. — Case I. July 12, 1813. A very good working 
ox, that had been ill seven days, was confided to the care of a 
charlatan, who employed fumigations of aromatic vinegar — appli- 
cations of crushed aulx between the forehead and the nape of the 
neck, and who administered every day three drinks composed of 
theriaca* boiled in red wine, in order to drive away the plague! 
The advanced state of the disease, and the unfavourable prognosis 
which he formed in his own mind, induced M. Mullon to fore- 
warn the proprietor that he had little hope of success : nevertheless, 
being encouraged by him, he abstracted a considerable quantity of 
blood, and employed emollient baths and fumigations, and injected 
into the nostrils some warm acidulated water, which brought away 
with it some bloody mucus, and fragments of the mucous mem- 
brane. This gave some momentary relief to the animal, that was 
breathing with the greatest difficulty. A hot poultice of boiled 
mallow-root was applied to the head, and emollient injections were 
thrown up; but, in despite of all this care, the ox died in the 
following night. The brain was softened, and there was a consi- 
derable quantity of fluid in the cranial cavity. 
Case II . — June 27, 1814. A cow, ten years old, and six months 
gone with calf, was suffering from this disease, then in an early 
stage. The eyes were clouded, but the sight was not entirely 
gone. M. Mullon proposed a copious bleeding, and hinted that 
it might be necessary to repeat it. The proprietor of the animal 
refused his consent, under the pretext, that these bleedings would 
necessarily produce abortion. He then wished to amputate one of 
* The French theriaca, like the old English compound of the same name, 
is composed of between thirt}' and forty incongruous substances, and used only 
by the most ignorant practitioners. Its general effect is that of a cordial or 
stimulant. 
