306 DR. LEGEAR'S STOCK BOOK. 



omul) to tin 1 terrihle disease while working in the Held. I'i.irs 

 eating at a trough have been known to step back, turn around. 

 squeal, tumble down and die in a minute. 'This may properly he 

 called the apoplectic form of the disease, and the most thrifty 

 animals in the flock or herd may become victims of the disease. 

 contracting it usually in its most acute and malignant forms, 

 while the poorer animals may escape entirely or take it in a mild 

 form. As this form is so suddenly developed, death takes place 

 before anj r symptoms are noticed. But in other forms it runs 

 a somewhat longer course. The symptoms are different in dif- 

 ferent animals,, and may differ in the same class of animals. 



As has been stated before, the disease germs may gain access 

 into the animal in several ways, viz., on the feed or in the water, 

 thus gaining access into the alimentary canal; through the air. 

 passing into the lungs; and by inoculation into the skin or mu- 

 cous membrane, by coming into contact with diseased animals or 

 infected pastures, premises, etc. When the infection takes place 

 through the skin a hard, warm, painful swelling with well de- 

 fined margins form under the skin and spread rapidly over the 

 surface. The infection is usually accompanied by fever, loss of 

 appetite, and quickened respirations. The swelling becomes cold 

 and painless in a few days, and either may be absorbed or the 

 disease spreads to the intestinal organs and proves fatal to the 

 animal. But when the disease gains access through the alimen- 

 tary canal or the lungs, there is a very high fever, a small, rapid 

 pulse, the visible mucous membranes of a bluish red color, and 

 in some cases symptoms of congestion of the brain, also of colic 

 and diarrhoea often mixed with blood. Chills and muscular 

 tremors may appear, and the skin show uneven temperature. 

 The animal becomes dull and stupid, the eyes staring, and mani- 

 fests great weakness. There is also loss of appetite, labored 

 breathing, and the region of the throat may become swollen to 

 such an extent that the breathing becomes roaring, and may be 

 followed bv suffocation. The disease usually lasts from a few 



