190 
TAIT BUTLER. 
It is frequently seen in pregnant cows a short time before, or 
at term, but such cases are not followed by parturient apo¬ 
plexy. Of course, when well-marked coma becomes estab¬ 
lished amaurosis is present in this as well as other diseases, 
but it does not bear the same relation to parturient apoplexy 
in cows that it does to eclampsia in women. These, it will 
be observed, are important differences, even in the prodro- 
mata, sufficient to more than offset any similarity which 
might seem to exist. 
We now come to a consideration of those symptoms re¬ 
vealed to the physician without a physical examination. In 
eclampsia in women these are as follows : The face, which 
at first presented a livid pallor, rapidly changes its out¬ 
lines. The eyes roll in their orbits and the lids open and 
close rapidly. The pupils are dilated and insensible to 
light. The mouth is distorted and usually drawn to the left 
side. The eyes became fixed on that side toward which the 
commissure of the lips is drawn. The jaws rise and fall 
spasmodically, while the projecting tongue is lacerated by 
the teeth. Blood and saliva form a froth that dribbles from 
the mouth. From the head the convulsions extend to the 
neck, body and limbs, frequently producing a true state of 
opisthotonos. The respiratory muscles being implicated, 
breathing is momentarily stopped. The face becomes red, 
swollen and tumihed as in asphyxia, and the carotids beat 
heavily. Abdominal evacuations usually occur, but that of 
urine is not very frequent “ owing to the small amount of urine 
in eclamptic patients." * These phenomena are all usually 
presented in from twenty to thirty or forty seconds, and are 
followed by a varying period of rest and sopor, usually suc¬ 
ceeded by another and still another attack. 
The corresponding symptoms of parturient apoplexy in 
the cow are, hanging of the head, alternated with general 
uneasiness, heavy and fast breathing and difficulty in stand¬ 
ing, and especially in moving the hind parts. When the 
animal is no longer able to stand a position is usually assured 
*Carpentier, “Cyclopedia of Obstretrics and Gyneoclogy,” translated by 
Grandin, vol. II., page 112. 
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