254 Report on Steppe Murrain or Rinderpest. 



voluntary muscles of the body, but more especially those of 

 the extremities. The triceps muscles of the fore-limbs, and 

 the glutei, vasti, and triceps in particular of the hind-limbs, 

 were most affected with these tremblings ; besides which a 

 spasmodic jerking of their fasciculi could be detected as coming 

 on at irregular and short intervals. The animal stood with 

 her back arched and legs gathered together under the body. 

 The head was extended, ears lopped, and coat staring. She was 

 remarkably dull, and greatly indisposed to move. Her appetite 

 was impaired, but not lost, as at times she would pick a little 

 fresh grass. Rumination was tardily performed; the action of 

 the bowels unaffected ; the breathing natural, and the pulse almost 

 undisturbed. Indeed, had the morning been a cold one — which 

 it was not — nearly the whole of the symptoms that she exhibited 

 might have been ascribed to an exposure to the bleak moun- 

 tain air. 



Towards the after-part of the day the spasmodic contrac- 

 tions of the muscles were more diffuse. The jerking of those 

 situated at the infero-lateral part of the neck was very peculiar, 

 imparting a movement not very dissimilar to the so-called 

 venous pulse. The skin was rather warmer than natural, but the 

 coat was staring, as in the morning. The breathing still continued 

 undisturbed, while a slight but "thick cough " was occasionally 

 heard. The pulse had risen to about 62. It was regular in its 

 action, but beat with somewhat diminished force. There was 

 no injection of the visible mucous membranes present, nor dryness 

 of the muzzle, as seen in active febrile diseases. The Commis- 

 sioners expressed their decided opinion that this was a true case 

 of the pest, although an unusually mild one, and they therefore 

 gave orders that the cow should be taken from the others, and 

 placed in a separate shed, temporarily erected with the branches 

 of pine trees for the purpose, so that we might watch its progress. 



May Qth, 7 a.m. — The symptoms upon the whole have under- 

 gone but little change since last evening. The animal still takes 

 a little food, but is equally as dull and dispirited. She shows a 

 disposition to drink freely of water, and would take even more 

 than it is desirable to give her. 



8 P.M. — No alteration of importance. 



Mai/ 1th, 6 A.M. — A change for the worse has come on during 

 the night. The prostration of strength is considerable, and 

 the animal is down, unable to rise. Neither the pulse nor the 

 breathing have, however, undergone much change, the principal 

 being that the action of the heart is rather weaker. She refuses 

 food. Rumination is suspended, and the bowels are rather 

 irritable, voiding large quantities of faeces. The twitchings of 

 the muscles are yet present, but mostly confined to the shoulders 



