THE SPLEXIC FEVER. 105 



Observation XVIII, August 24, 1868. Black steer; the property of Messrs. Palmer 

 and Perry. Died during the day. Post-mortem examination at 6 p. m. Respiratory 

 passages normal ; cadaveric congestion of left lung. On opening the pericardium, the heart 

 was found extensively ecchymosed at the base of the right ventricle, and over the origin 

 of the pulmonary artery. The right cavities contained a little dark, semi-fluid blood. 

 The left side was nearly empty, but on the column* carnea? of the ventricle there was a 

 dark purplish tint of the endocardium from extensive extravasations of blood in and be 

 neath its structure. The digestive organs anterior to the true stomach were sound. The 

 cardiac end of the abomasum was of a diffuse red color. The mucous membrane of the 

 pyloric end was of normal color wherever it was not eroded, but it was studded with 

 twenty to thirty abrasions of the epithelium, exposing the vascular membrane in patches 

 varying from one-fourth to one and one-half inch in length, and usually longer than broad. 

 The duodenum was turgid with bile. The jejunum was extensively ecchymosed on its 

 inner surface. The large intestine was healthy, except some extravasations on the rectal 

 folds. The liver and gall bladder, of general normal look, but congested, weighed twenty- 

 seven pounds. The gall bladder was distendexl by inspissated bile. The gland itself was 

 softened by fatty change. The spleen, dark and softened, weighed seven and one-fourth 

 pounds. The kidneys were intensely congested, but not ecchymosed. The bladder was 

 full to repletion of bloody urine, but its coats were normal. Darkness precluded the 

 examination of the brain and spinal cord. 



Observation XIX, August 26, 1868. Two-year-old roan steer; the property of Mr. 

 Richard Callahan. near Abilene. Organs of respiration healthy. Heart flabby and blood 

 stained on the posterior ventricular furrow. Interior of right side unchanged, but on the 

 septum, and fleshy pillars in the left ventricle, were extensive ecchymoses. On opening 

 the abdomen the peritoneum was found studded with punctiform ecchymoses. Organs of 

 deglutition and first three stomachs normal. The cardiac end of the fourth stomach 

 was intensely reddened, and its folds marked by zigzag fissures or ulcerations, in the cen 

 ter of which were black scabs, with adherent food. The pyloric end was of more normal 

 color, but four ulcers, about one-half inch broad, and of irregular shape, existed in its mid 

 dle; and at the pyloric end was a larger spot of ulceration, about one inch in length. 

 The duodenum was much congested on its minor surface, and diffuse redness pervaded 

 the mucous membrane of the jejunum and ileum. In various parts of the latter were 

 small, dark petechise. The mucous membrane of the whole of the large intestine was of 

 a dark red color, and the excrement in the rectum was tinged with blood. Through the 

 whole of the longitudinal mucous folds extravasations of blood had occurred. The liver 

 and gall bladder weighed seventeen and one-half pounds, and appeared healthy. The bile 

 in the gall bladder was thick. The spleen was very dark in color, its pulp soft, and its 

 weight was five and one-half pounds. The kidneys were much congested, and the mucous 

 membrane of each pelvis was spotted with dark ecchymoses. In the peritoneal cul de sac, 

 around the bladder and rectum, were numerous bright ecchymoses. The bladder was 

 full of bloody urine, and its mucous lining extensively dotted with small blood spots, of 

 a vermilion hue. On severing the head from the neck, a large quantity of serum flowed 

 from the meninges. The meninges were dark, and of the general color of the gray matter 

 of the cord, and the brain was much redder than in health. 



