The Cattle-Plague. 239 



The Medical Committee of the Norfolk Cattle-Plague 



Association note the symptoms of the cattle-plague under three 

 heads, — early, confirmed, advanced. The first and third agree 

 with the above. The second mentions the circulation ranging 

 from 80 to 100, the respiration from 35 to 70, " and an irrup- 

 tion of spots, papules or vesicles on the skin." They observe 

 that the disease endures from four to six days after it is " con- 

 firmed," and that the period of incubation, when the disease is 

 the result of infection, varies from seven to twenty-one days, and 

 of inoculation from four to eight days. 



To these evidences have been added others. For that which 

 is discovered by thermometric observation Ave are indebted to 

 the valuable experiments conducted by Professor Gamgee and 

 his brother. Dr. ARTHUR GamGEE. On passing a delicate ther- 

 mometer into the rectum it was found that Avherc incubation had 

 commenced an elevation of temperature will indicate its presence 

 some time before the eye can detect any of those symptoms 

 generally looked for. The normal temperature was found to 

 vary from 100° to 101° Fahr., and sometimes to rise as high as 

 102°. Putting the test into practice, they were enabled to predict 

 with fatal precision the occurrence of impending attack at a time 

 when the owner of the cattle deemed himself secure. Where the 

 temperature Avas raised to 105°, 106°, and 107^, they were 

 certain, as experience proved, of the result. The A'alue of this 

 symptom will be appreciated by all Avho believe that it is only 

 in the first stage of incubation that this disease can be successfully 

 combated. As the pulse increases the temperature decreases ; 

 and before death a sudden drop takes place, often from 106° 

 to below 100°. 



Dr. Gant and others pointed very early to the advantages to 

 be expected from careful systematic examinations Avith the micro- 

 scope, and by chemical analysis of the blood, the breath, and 

 excreta of diseased animals during the A^arious stages of the 

 malady. Such observations haA^e been pursued by Drs. Beale 

 and*Marcet, at the instance of the Royal Commission. Although 

 their Report is not yet published, Ave are not Avithout information 

 on these points Avhich can scarcely fail to throAv light upon the 

 subject under consideration. 



Dr. Arthur Gamgee has pursued a series of experiments, 

 which are quoted by Dr. Smart, and his brother in the ' Veteri- 

 narian.' An abstract of the results Avill serve our present purpose. 

 These, as they relate to the blood, are as folloAv : — 1. The water 

 of the blood is diminished. 2. The solids of serum diminished. 

 3, Blood corpuscles increased. 4. Fibrine increased, 5. Proper 

 salts (so far as yet determined) diminished. Examples : 



