Cerebral softening

In medicine, Cerebral softening (encephalomalacia) is a localized softening of the brain substance, due to hemorrhage or inflammation. Three varieties, distinguished by their color and representing different stages of the morbid process, are known respectively as red, yellow, and white softening.

This is one of the sequelae of "Pulpy Kidney Disease" or "Overeating Disease" in lambs and kids. A sudden access to diets rich in starch promotes the rapid proliferation of Clostridium perfringens Types B and D, in the large intestine. This bacterium produces epsilon toxin which causes endothelial damage throughout the body, especially in the kidney and brain.