SPLENIC APOPLEXY. 289 



mineral and organic products, and pike in canals and rivers 

 containing such water died. It is reported that Dr Davaine 

 has found a species of bacterium in the blood of sheep affected 

 with splenic apoplexy. Bacteria are filiform, microscopical 

 animalcules, said to abound in animal fluids in a state of de- 

 composition ; but Dr Davaine found that the protozoa which 

 he detected in the blood of splenic apoplexy disappeared 

 when that blood began to putrefy. There is evidently a new 

 field for research, and it is most important we should know 

 that splenic apoplexy is to a great extent a new disease in 

 the British Isles, and that it is becoming more prevalent each 

 succeeding year. 



Symptoms. It not unfrequently happens that the first 

 appearance of splenic apoplexy amongst cattle is ascertained 

 by one or more animals being found dead. Calves, cows, and 

 bullocks may be seen in apparent health in the morning, 

 and dead by mid-day. Sometimes the animals appear excited, 

 the eyes are prominent, and the visible mucous membranes 

 injected. Symptoms of uneasiness suddenly manifest them- 

 selves, and colicky pains indicate abdominal disorder. The 

 urine voided is high coloured, and even tinged with blood, 

 as are also the faeces. The back is arched, and the animal 

 fixes itself, hanging on to anything by which it may be tied 

 in a stall, or it presses back against a tree, or into a corner of 

 the yard or shed in which it is enclosed. The pulse is quick 

 and hard, then feeble, frequent, and small ; the breathing is 

 accelerated, short, and often stertorous. The animal soon 

 drops, and is seized with convulsive twitching. A red, frothy 

 liquid then escapes from the nostrils, and the animal bellows, 

 moans, and dies. The disease lasts from 4 to 24* hours. 

 Causing the animal to move about briskly, or bleeding, seems 

 to prolong life. 



With regard to the symptoms of splenic apoplexy amongst 



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