46 Journal of the Department of Agriculture. 



stages ; the whole wall being involved in the inflammatory process 

 they do not stand out in relief and the whole organ becomes uniformly 

 thickened and rigid. In the adjoining colon these lesions gradually 

 vanish, when crowded, and solitary nodules then appear again. 



Sequels of the Nodular Worm Infection. 



There are two complications, which may result from the infection 

 with nodular worms, mostly in the adult stage. One is the rekziekte 

 or knopderms, the olher one is a septic infection of the serous cavities 

 (peritoneum, pleura, pericardium). In rekziekte or knopderms we 

 find that a portion of the end part of the small intestines (ileum) has 

 slipped into its own lumen and is secured there and cannot return. 

 This happens most frequently within the last two yards of the 

 intestines. The invagiuated portion swells and so blocks the passage. 

 Invariably we find in the telescoped portion the presence of the 

 nodules, and it is thought that these form a mechanical obstacle to 

 the proper peristaltic action of this section of the bowels. It is 



Plate J. 



Nodules ill the bowel wall (portion of ileum) 



from the serosa of the one portion of the intestine on to the serosa of 

 the other, both lying in intimate contact and are soldered together. 

 The invagiuated bowels are described by the farmer as a knot, hence 

 the Dutch name " Knopziekte." During life the sheep affected take 

 up a stretching position, tlie forelegs are brought well forward, the 

 possible that the inflammatory process associated with a nodule creeps 

 neck extended, the hindlegs placed backwards, and the back hollowed, 

 hence also the name " Rekziekte." The sheep is disinclined to move 

 and either stands or lies. The head is sometimes turned towards the 

 flank. A complete stoppage of the intestines takes place, at certain 

 times black or blood mixed faeces are passed. Recoveries are rare. 

 Rekziekte may sometimes cause considerable losses. Its presence in 

 South Africa has been recorded since 1894, and its increase has been 



