lo Feb., 1909.] SepticcBniia Hemorrhagica in Cattle. 91 



SEPTICEMIA II;EM()R1UIAG1CA IN CATTLE. 



(" Buffalo Disease.") 

 A. W. Curleivis, Stock Inspector. 



During the last few months considerable moitality in cattle has occurred 

 in parts of the State through a disease which has hitherto remained un- 

 identified in Australia or but little known ; but which the Chief Veterinary 

 Officer (Mr. S. S. Cameron, M.R.C.V.S.) has classed as a form of Septi- 

 caamia HcTemorrhagica, known in some countries as "Buffalo Disease" and 

 in others as " Deer and Cattle Disease." As I have seen a good deal of 

 the disease recently I have thought that particulars of my observations, &c., 

 might prove interesting. 



In Friedberger and Frohner's work on Pathology, Vol. I., reference is 

 made to an outbreak that occurred in 1878 among deer in several of the 

 Royal Parks in the neighbourhood of Munich, and it is stated that : — " It 

 was originallv mistaken for anthrax, but is readily distinguished therefrom 

 by absence of the bacillus of anthrax ; absence of enlargement of the spleen 

 and of the characteristic tarry condition of the blood." Various forms of 

 the disease are described. Apparently however the most prevalent, at least 

 in this State, is the intestinal form and it is with this form principally 

 that I must therefore deal. The subject may perhaps be best put by 

 giving, briefly, particulars of individual cases which have come under my 

 notice. 



Case A. — Cattle in fair condition running in good hill country, laid 

 down in English gras.ses and watered by running streams. 



Mortality : — Ten head within a period of two weeks found dead by 

 owner. No symptoms of sickness observed. In most cases a little blood 

 had oozed from nose and anus after death. On paving visit of inspection 

 to this farm one cow was discovered down and at the point of death ; her 

 throat was cut and she bled but not freely ; the blood was thin and light 

 in colour. 



Post-mortem examination showed extensive haemorrhages or extravasation 

 of blood on the peritoneum, walls of chest, spleen, covering of heart and 

 lungs, and small patches on outside surface of body, near stifle joints, pre- 

 .senting a strawberry or streaky appearance. There was an exudate of serum 

 in the abdominal and chest cavities and patches of adhesive inflammation on 

 peritoneum. The liver was somewhat enlarged and the contents of gall 

 bladder were thick and dark. The spleen was normal in size and firm in 

 consistence. 



Case B. — Cattle kept under similar conditions as to country, grass, &c., 

 and in forward store condition. 



Mortality : — Six head within three or four weeks. Symptoms observed: 

 — Partial loss of appetite, hollow flanks, slight stagger of hind quarters; 

 and toward the last stage frequent passings of small quantities of excreta 

 encased in thick layers of coagulated blood and mucus ; death usually 

 occurred in from two to four days. 



The first cow examined had been sick for four days ; the temperature 

 was extremely high and she appeared to be in great pain. She was bled 

 to death but the blood was very pale and scanty. Post-jnortem appear- 

 ances:— Acute inflammation of colon or lower bowel; slight inflammation 

 of fourth stomach; liver somewhat large, other organs normal. The 

 second cow examined was seen in apparently good health one night and was 

 dead in the morning". She had passed quantities of blood-stained excreta 



