Cattle 1853 - Lewis Family Farm

BLEEDING FROM THE NOSE. 181
nose. It is the impression which is made by the odor of bodies
striking on this diffused pulpy matter, that produces the sense of
smell ; and in proportion to the extent of surface over which the
nerve is spread, is the acuteness of the smell.
The ox partly breathing through the mouth, and the air passage
being widened by the removal of a portion of the septum, provision
can be made for the more extensive diffusion of the nervous pulp.
Nearest to the skull, and situated at the upper part of the nasal
cavity, are the cells of the sethmoid bone, (r, p. 144,) and the superior
development of them in the ox is evident. The lower cell of the
{ethmoid labyrinth is so much lengthened in the ox, that it is sometimes
described as a third turbinated bone. It is represented' at u,
p. 144. Below these are the two turbinated bones, (^ and t, p. 144,)
both of them, and especially the lower one, largely developed. Each
of these bones is composed of a labyrinth of cells, divided from each
other by wafer-like plates of bone, perforated like the cribriform plate
of the aethmoid bone—lined by the Schneiderian membrane, with the
nervous pulp spread over or identified with that membrane—and a
thousand communications between the membranes in every part, by
means of the gauze-like perforated structure of the plates.
This membrane is either covered with an unctuous fluid, or the
air passages are so complicated that the pure atmospheric air alone
is suffered to pass ; the slightest odor or solid substance of any kind
is arrested. This is not only a wise provision for the perfection of
the sense of smelling—it not only secures .the contact of every particle
with the membrane of the nose, and its temporary lodgment
there, but it protects the air passages from many a source of annoyance,
danger, and death.
Nature has provided an acute sense of smell for the ox : it was
wanted. It was necessary that the animal should detect the peculiar
scent of every plant, as connected either with nutrition or destruction.
Instinct perhaps teaches him much, but he is more indebted
to the lessons of experience. In the spring of the year, when the
scent of the infant plant is scarcely developed, cattle are often deceived
with regard to the nature of the herbage ; are subject to peculiar
complaints of indigestion ; and are sometimes poisoned.
BLEEDING FROM THE NOSE.
Working oxen, and especially those in tolerably high condition,
are occasionally subject to bleeding from the nose, and sometimes
very profuse bleeding. If too hardly and too long worked during
the heat of a summer's day, nasal haemorrhage may occur ; to blows
inflicted on the nasals or on the muzzle by a brutal drover or
ploughman, far oftener than to any other cause, is bleeding due. It
is not often that any unpleasant consequences ensue. The bleeding
gradually ceases.