Cattle 1853 - Lewis Family Farm

418 CATTLE.
satisfied that there is inflammation down to the upper part of the
bowels, but, generally, in a slight degree. I do not believe that there
is any general inflammatory condition of any of the chylopoetic vis-
cera, but that the entire force of the disease is spent upon the stomach,
and, perhaps, duodenum.
" From what observation I have been able to make upon the subject,
I am inclined to the opinion that the lower portions of the
bowels remain, measurably, if not entirely, exempt from inflammation
; that it is entirely a disease of the stomach ; that in proportion
to the severity with which that organ is attacked, in that proportion
will the chylopoetic viscera become deranged.
" Another proof that the disease is inflammatory, is the constipated
condition of the bowels. There could not be such a dry and hardened
condition of the fecal matter produced by any other derangement,
excepting that of inflammatory action.
" I have been led to make these remarks, in consequence of an
opinion that is prevalent with some of our practitioners, that the
disease is nervous ; that the great gastric irritability is, or might be,
attributed to nervous excitement. This, to me, appears impossible
for, if the nerves of the stomach were in such a morbid condition,
acting under such a powerful excitement as to produce such distress-
ing symptoms, would not the brain become sympathetically affected ?
Would we not have an apparent case of phrenitis ? Whereas, the
mind, generally, remains quiet. We sometimes see mental depression,
but rarely ever mental aberration."
Professor Drake, of Kentucky, says : " In the earliest stages qf
this malady, in the cow, it may not display its existence, if the attack
be not violent and the animal left to itself ; for in the beginning, as
in all stages of the disorder, the appetite seems to be unimpaired,
and the thirst not increased. Even this early stage, not less- than
the more advanced, appears, however, to be attended with constipa-
tion of the bowels.- The animal at length begins to mope and droop,
to walk slower than its fellows, and to falter in its gait. If, under
these circumstances, it should be driven, and attempt to run, the
debility and stiffness of its muscles are immediately apparent. It
fails rapidly, trembles, pants, and sometimes seems blind, as it runs
against obstacles, but this may arise from vertigo ; at length it falls
down, lies on its side quivering, and is not, perhaps, able to rise for
several hours, sometimes never. Now and then, the quivering
amounts to a slight convulsion. When the disease is not violent, the
animal, after a longer or shorter period, is again on its feet ; but its
capacity for muscular effort is greatly impaired, and, if hurried in
the slightest degree, it is seized with trembling and stiffness, and
may even fall again. Of the state of the circulation, when it lies
seriously ill, but little is known, as the puke has not been inspected.
One observer perceived that the nose of a heifer was hot, but others
;