TUE SPLENIC PEVEE. 



93 



cases. These indicate that the average weights of spleens are in excess in southern cat 

 tle over those observed among western steers, the excess amounting from a half to up 

 ward of one pound. Many of the Texan cattle had spleens weighing over three pounds. 

 Some of the so-called Cherokee cattle might be from the Indian Nation, near the Texan 

 frontier, but few were from the Cherokee Nation, and many, no doubt, were from Texas. 

 This will explain the note of interrogation I have used wherever the term Cherokee has 

 been used, in accordance with the information that has been tendered to me. 



It is very important to notice that the earlier observations in August, when the spleens 

 alone were weighed, brought out a greater indication of deviations from health in the 

 spleens of southern cattle than those made subsequently. Thus the averages were 



It is much to be desired that the weights of internal organs be better determined in 

 future in all enzootic diseases and during all seasons. This field of inquiry promises ample 

 and valuable results. 



The examination, after death, of cattle in Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, and Kansas 

 indicates that the usual post-mortem appearances, in well-marked cases of splenic fever, 

 are as follows : 



The skin, very often infested with ticks, is occasionally seen studded with dried drops 

 of blood, as if the animal had sweated blood in dying Then small blood clots have 

 been found freely distributed over the neck, trunk, and limbs, and especially between the 

 thighs. 



On removing the skin, blood-extravasations, or serous infiltrations, are sometimes 

 found beneath the lower jaw and brisket. The subcutaneous areolar tissue, as a rule, is 

 pallid and not congested, as in anthrax. 



The muscular system is normal, and I have not been able to distinguish any devia 

 tion from the common appearance of slaughtered cattle, if the animals are examined im 

 mediately after death. 



