CONTAGIOUS DISEASES OF DOMESTICATED ANIMALS. 483 



before infection ; if it has been well nourished these deposits are most 

 likely to be present. 



The prominent alterations in the glands of tlie mucous membrane 

 appear to consist in an exaggerated proliferation of their cell elements, 

 accompanied by a prompt granulo- adipose destiTiction of tlie newly- 

 formed cells. The liver is seldom much altered, but the gall-bladder is 

 very often distended with bile, and its mucous membrane is in some- 

 what the same condition as that of tjie intestines. The mucous mem- 

 brane of the air-passages is greatly altered. That lining the larynx, 

 the trachea, and also the bronchia is injected and marked by extravasa- 

 tions which, particularly in the trachea, appear in the form of longitudi- 

 nal striae. 



The lungs are frequently emphysematous (interlobular) to a degree 

 corresponding to the intensity of the malady. This condition is chiefly 

 noticed about the borders of the lungs and in the mediastinum, and, 

 passing along the large blood-vessels toward the lumbar region, it may 

 reach the loins. The lungs are also occasionally cedematous. The jdeura, 

 like the i)eritoneum, is occasionally congested in places, and even ecchy- 

 mosed. The heart is usually flabby, dark or clay colored, and friable, 

 and at times there are subendocardial extravasations towards its base; 

 the blood is darker colored than in health, and coagulates imperfectly 

 or not at all. The kidneys may be tumefied, congested, and more friable 

 than usual. The bladder is rarely empty, but generally contains a 

 quantity of urine, which may be pale, dark colored, or muddy, and have 

 suspended in it shreds of epithelium. Its mucous membrane may also 

 be congested and ecchymosed, and covered with viscid mucus. The 

 vulvo-vaginal mucous membrane presents a very marked redness, which 

 generally extends to the cervix of the uterus. As in the mouth, there 

 are little elevations of altered epithelium on this membrane, with ero- 

 sions covered by viscid matter. The udder, frequently congested, some- 

 times contains a small quantity of thick milk. 



According to Eeynal, the latest observations on the pathological 

 anatomy of cattle plague are those of Damaschino, who has made a 

 complete study of the histological alterations occurring in the disease. 

 This investigator states that the ulceration of the mucous membrane is 

 due to an unique process, which presents a great resemblance to that of 

 pharyngeal diphtheria of man. At the commencement, the lesion con- 

 sists in an exaggerated production of epithelial cells, which are infiltrated 

 with an amorjDhous substance, become deformed, throw out multiple 

 prolongations, and acquire an abnormal adhesion, which finally gives 

 them a pseudo-membranous aspect. But beneath these false membranes 

 the young epithelial cells do not submit to the same alterations. Instead 

 of the prolongations adhering to each other and becoming matted 

 together, they are the seat of a purulent transformation, whence results 

 less adhesiveness, and soon the casting off of the pseudo membrane. 

 At this moment ulceration commences, and as these tissues are softened 

 it happens that there is found implanted on this surface fragments of 

 hairs, which are recognized by the microscope. The loss of substance 

 is not always superficial. On the tongue, sometimes, the lesion ceases 

 at a portion only of the thickness of the papillce, but in other cases it 

 extends throughout their texture. In the stomach it is often deeper, 

 comiH'ising a portion of the substance of the glanduloe, and even the 

 entire thickness of the mucous membrane to such a degree that, without 

 the presence of a thick layei^of adipose tissue at these points, the stom- 

 ach would frequently be found perforated. On the surface of these ulcer- 

 ations the adipose tissue exhibits all the characters of inflammation 



