BLACK QUARTER IN CATTLE AND SHEEP. 303 



Mr Youatt has described this malady as inflammatory 

 fever, but refers to other names by which the disorder is 

 known in different parts of the country, viz., quarter evil, 

 joint murrain, hasty, &c. The Germans have called it 

 Milzbrand emphysem, Eauschender Brand, Fliegendes Feuer, 

 Viertheil, &c. 



It is rare to see black quarter in animals above two or 

 three years of age. It may occur in older animals, as cases 

 have been seen by myself and others in cows of eight or 

 nine years of age. I need not add to the general history of 

 causes of this form of anthrax, as they are those common to 

 all forms. It prevails principally on undrained retentive 

 soils, and, next to pleuro-pneumonia, is the most fatal of all 

 cattle disorders in this country. 



Symptoms. The best animal of a lot of yearlings is seen 

 to move about with difficulty, to indicate lameness on one 

 of its limbs, either fore or hind, and, at the same time, the 

 pulse rises to 80, 90, or 100, is full and strong, the breathing 

 quick, expression of countenance indicating much disturbance, 

 and the prostration great. The protruded head, bloodshot 

 eyes, hot mouth, low moan, total loss of appetite, and intense 

 thirst, are very characteristic. The loins and back are tender, 

 and there is a painful swelling, commencing either at a fet- 

 lock, knee, or hock joint, or as high up as the stifle, elbow, 

 or shoulder. The animal staggers and drops helpless to the 

 ground at an early stage of the disease. There are symptoms 

 of emphysema of the sub-cutaneous areolar tissue, and the 

 crackling or pressure over the affected limb and trunk is a 

 very significant symptom. 



The animal is very costive in the early stage. The faeces 

 afterwards become softer, and streaked with blood. The 

 urine, at first high coloured, afterwards becomes tinged deeply 

 with the blood colouring matter. 



