200 ANTHRAX. 



appear that these are in all their essential features analogous 

 to what we observe in cattle with which, in this country, we 

 are most conversant, though, from the rapid progress of the 

 malady, few opportunities are afforded to medical practitioners 

 for observing these. 



The animal seized, perhaps more generally while at work, 

 has given no premonitory indications of any dyscrasia or im- 

 pending illness. Violent muscular tremors, sudden general 

 or partial perspiration, wild tossing of the head, paroxysmal 

 breathing with dyspncea, reeling m the gait, complete loss of 

 control of the muscles of the limbs, are the first and only inti- 

 mation of illness. After a short period of unconsciousness and 

 convulsive movements while on the ground, the animal suc- 

 cumbs to the attack. 



In other cases, where the course of the symptoms is less 

 rapid, there may be cessation of the more distressing features 

 of nervous comphcation, and time is given to take further 

 notice of the disease. In these subacute cases of anthrax 

 proper, which, when terminating fatally, generally continue 

 over two or three days, the onset of the illness may be 

 ushered in by an acute seizure, similar to that just described, 

 which suffering subsidence may shortly proceed in a somewhat 

 milder form, or the symptoms from the first may be less 

 sudden and violent. In either case there is a certain amount 

 of coma and lethargy, disinclination to move, or, when com- 

 pelled to do so, a certain want of power in the muscles of 

 locomotion, giving the idea that the animal is weak in its loins ; 

 there are partial sweating-fits, with spasmodic twitchings or 

 tremblings of the muscles of certain regions of the bod}^ ; in 

 the interval the skin is unnaturally cold and wants pliability. 



The respiration is sometimes at the outset not much altered ; 

 at others it is hurried or protracted and laboured. The pulse, 

 increased in frequency, is feeble and smaU, this condition be- 

 coming marked as the disease advances. Temperature is much 

 elevated, and, as a rule, continues so until shortly before death, 

 directly before which it most frequently shows a decline. The 

 heart's action is usually marked and somewhat tumultuous. 

 A symptom which has been remarked by several observers is 

 the swelling of some of the superficial lymphatic glands, which 

 in one situation or another is very common. 



