SPLENIC APOPLEXY. 
519 
with its head hanging down, ears lopped, and back arched. 
In other cases twitchings of the voluntary muscles are 
observed, with loss of power of progression, especially with 
the hinder limbs. The surface of the body is chilly, the 
gait staggering, and the mucous membranes injected. De¬ 
fluxion of tears, increased mucous discharge from the nostrils, 
laboured and painful breathing, and a quick, weak, and 
wavering pulse, also attend the progress of the malady. As 
the disease advances to a fatal termination, colicky pains come 
on, which are associated with an irritable state of the bowels 
and blood-coloured evacuations. The cerebral functions 
become more and more impaired. Rigors show themselves, 
and the animal drops and dies, either in a semi-comatose state 
or, now and then, in strong convulsions. 
From the evidence collected with reference to the cases in 
question, it appears that the disease was entirely unknown 
in the district until the summer of 1855. The outbreak, 
which cannot be accounted for, took place on a farm in the 
occupation of Mr. Edw. Look, of Ilchester. The farm 
consists of 300 acres, the greater part of which is pasture 
ground, lying in the valley of the Yeo. I learned from Mr. 
Look that in the month of August, 1855, he had thirty 
barren cows, varying in age from four to eight years, at 
pasture on a particular field—a piece of old feeding-ground— 
which had been going on to his perfect satisfaction up to the 
time of the appearance of the disease. These animals had 
been bought between Christmas and May-day, about which 
time they were turned out to graze. No indications of ill- 
health preceded the attack; but suddenly and within a few 
days thirteen of them died, some being found dead a few 
hours after being believed to be in perfect health. The 
remainder of the animals were at once disposed of, and within 
a day or two of the sale several more of them became affected 
and died. After their removal the pasture was fed with 
sheep during the latter, part of the summer and the suc¬ 
ceeding autumn, and a great many losses also occurred among 
these animals from the same disease. 
The field in question, which, for distinction, I will name 
No. 1 , is apparently a piece of good grazing ground. It lies 
on ridges, the valleys between which act as surface-drains. 
The greater portion of it is sufficiently dry, but the lowest 
parts would be improved by under draining. It contains 
twenty-seven acres, and is bounded on one side bv the river 
Yeo, from which the animals obtain their drinking-water. 
It has been regularly fed since 1844. No difference could 
be detected by me between the grasses it bears and those 
