248 Report on Steppe Murrain or Rinderpest. 



lopped. The vessels of the conjunctival membrane are almost 

 without turgescence, but a discharge in most cases comes from 

 the eyes, which accumulates in a yellow jelly-like mass at the 

 inner angle, and when examined, it likewise is found to be com- 

 posed principally of lymph. 



The bowels are but little disturbed at the vei-y beginning of 

 the disease, but the feculent mattei-, almost unaltered at first in 

 consistency, is soon passed in increased quantity, and in the 

 course of the second day diarrhoea sets in. This diarrhcea is pre- 

 sently followed by dysentery, which continues to the end. The 

 evacuations are not particularly offensive, but they are remarkably 

 fluid, of a dirty yellow colour, and mixed with numerous small 

 flocculi of lymph. Occasionally a little blood stains the evacua- 

 tions, and tenesmus is also present in some cases. The abdomen 

 becomes much pinched in, and the animal's strength quickly 

 fails him. He now keeps mostly recumbent, and rises very 

 reluctantly. If made to move he staggers, and often falls for 

 want of strength. The spasmodic twitchings now hegin to diminish, 

 and for some hours before death they have entirely passed off. 



A sickly smell attends the patient, but there are no disen- 

 gagements of gaseous compounds into the areolar tissue, nor any 

 other indications of the decomposition of the tissues which have 

 })een spoken of by some writers. In short, the animal dies, 

 apparently, and almost without convulsions, from pure prostra- 

 tion of the vital powers. 



In those cases which recover no pustules have been observed 

 as forming on the skin, nor any desquamation of the cuticle or 

 fall of the hair. Nor have any ulcers of the eyes, nostrils, or 

 muzzle been noticed in either extreme or protracted cases. 



One of the most favourable indications of a return to health is 

 a less frequent evacuation of fluid from the intestinal canal, and 

 the dejections possessing somewhat a feculent character. Such 

 animals soon acquire a more lively appearance, look about lor 

 some tempting kind of food, and will slowly begin to ruminate. 

 The pulse acquires more tone, the temperature of the body rises, 

 and the respiration becomes natural, but the diarrhoea will not 

 unfrequently continue for seven or eight days. 



Duration. — In all cases which tend to a fatal termination, the 

 animals rarely live beyond the fourth day after the symptoms 

 have shown themselves, while very many of them will sink as 

 early as the second day. The greater number, however, die on 

 the third day from the attack. In those which recover, some 

 diminution in the severity of the symptoms usually takes place 

 on the third or fourth day, and if the patient survives this time, 

 even should the symptoms not abate, it is regarded as a favour- 

 able indication of ultimate recovery. The return to perfect health 



