] 38 LIVERPOOL VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION. 
I have already indicated my opinion against its being centric, 
or commencing in the brain, from the sudden rush of blood 
thereto, either by anaemia or extravasation; I shall now briefly 
indicate my opinions for thinking that it is eccentric, or origi¬ 
nating in the ganglionic system. 
The first proof that it is of an eccentric nature is the fact 
that the paralysis is of a progressive type. We never find any 
cases of this disease corresponding to an apoplectic seizure of 
the human being. No, the first stage of this disease is that of 
excitement, the blood-shot eye, the excited look, the throbbing 
heart, the heightened temperature, occurring at or soon after the 
act of parturition, give evidence of dilatation of blood-vessels 
following upon the reduction of nervous control. Now what 
causes this dilatation of blood-vessels ? Deficiency of nervous 
influence, induced by the excitement of the act of parturition, 
and the recoil of the ganglionic system from its attempts to rid 
the system of its superabundant nitrogenous element in the shape 
of milk. As a rule you will find—at least I have always found— 
that the secretion of milk is very abundant at first, or in the 
first stage of vascular excitement. What more common to be 
shown or told of the great bucketful of heastings they got from 
her as soon as she was calved, and of the great surprise they 
experienced when some six or more hours after they could not 
get a drop. 
But by this time the eye begins to dull, the heart begins to 
flag, the temperature to fall, she begins to lift her hind legs 
spasmodically, and perhaps, stagger when made to move, showing 
that the function of the spinal cord is interfered with. By-and- 
bye, the co-ordination of muscular movement is seriously im¬ 
paired, and she staggers and falls, perhaps to rise no more, but 
not always. 
This stage occurs in about from twelve to twenty hours, if the 
cow is of an excitable temperament and a very heavy milker in 
high condition. When newly fallen if we prick, with a pin or 
pen-knife in the posterior extremities you will find sensation 
gone, but as you advance up the spine you wull be able to make 
her feel, and perhaps start up, only to tumble down again. 
Now the breathing begins to be excited and short, depending a 
good deal on the condition of the stomach; the eyes get duller, 
the temperature of the body low, and sometimes great uneasi¬ 
ness is manifested, and attempts to rise are frequent and in¬ 
effectual. 
Now, in all this we have only a gradual and progressive inter¬ 
ference with function. Apoplexy—in the ordinary sense of the 
term—as yet we have not. Gradually, how r ever, the outworks 
are sapped and surrendered, and at last, perhaps, the citadel is 
