144 LIVERPOOL VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION. 
Mr. Townson, after complimenting the essayist on the pro¬ 
duction of such an excellent paper, said that in his own practice 
he bled in the first stage, but if the cow was down he did not 
bleed, but administered a mild purgative, combined with stimu¬ 
lants, such as brandy, whiskey, or the salts of ammonia, and 
attended to the animal otherwise as referred to by other speakers. 
Mr. Watson and the Secretary also complimented the essayist 
on the ability he had displayed in bringing before them such a 
clear, philosophic and scientific paper on such an important 
subject, and concurred with the wish expressed by the other mem¬ 
bers that he would allow it to be published in order that they 
might have a better opportunity of examining it. 
The President referred to the breeds of cattle most liable to 
parturient apoplexy, the pure breeds, with the exception of those 
principally bred for dairy purposes, being most exempt. In 
reference to the age at which the cow was most liable to it, his 
own experience was that about the fourth or fifth calf, while some 
other members considered that the third calf was the most likely 
time. He concluded by thanking Mr. Gerrard for his very 
able paper, and asked him in his reply to favour them with his 
opinions on the treatment, as that had occupied a prominent part 
of the discussion. 
Mr. Gerrard said that, although he had spoken to them at 
great length, he had said nothing as to the treatment of the dis¬ 
ease—this they would readily understand as the therapeutics of 
the subject did not fall within the scope of his paper. But as 
some of the members appear to be anxious to know his expe¬ 
rience on that point he could not do better, perhaps, than 
indicate his procedure in a case. 
In the first stage of the disease, or before the cow is down, I 
administer a stimulant—Brandy half a pint, Ammon. Carb. two 
drachms, water half a pint; repeated every hour or even oftener, 
according to the nature of the case, I find the best. Bub a strong 
ammoniacal liniment along the spine and across the loins, cover 
with a rug, blanket, or sheepskin, if procurable. A good smart 
purgative administered at this stage does more good than when 
the animal is down and unable to swallow, when it frequently 
does harm, however administered. It is of consequence to keep 
as quiet as possible at this stage, and avoid everything tending 
to excite the animal, such as the removal of the calf, or allowing 
it to remain if its removal leads to excitement. 
I may here state a practical fact that is regarded by many as 
an exciting cause of the disease, but which I find is not so. The 
removal of the calf I find to be no exciting cause, although I 
was taught so, and at one time believed it. It is the invariable 
practice in my district of Lincolnshire to allow the calf to remain 
