400 LEAD POISOXIXG. 



instances, an augmentation of the swelling, from what appears 

 rarefaction of the epiphyses of the bones entering into the 

 formation of the joint. "While the blood-markings and sug- 

 gilations found in the acute form on the mesentery and the 

 outer surface of the intestine may not be present here, the 

 state of the internal mucous membrane of the canal is some- 

 what similar. The stomach and intestines present detached 

 patches of ecchymosis, or larger tracts of inflammatory action, 

 ■while the cul de sac of the csecum and pouches of the colon 

 have occasionally patches of their tissue in a sphacelated 

 condition. 



The glands of the abdomen are more rarely in an engorged 

 and hyperajmic state than somewhat altered in colour and 

 consistence. I have noticed them to be softer than natural, 

 and of a dirty clay colour ; others have spoken of them as of 

 a singularly blue appearance. 



Diagnosis. — That acute lead-poisoning may be mistaken for 

 some gastric and enteric disorders, accompanied with paralytic 

 symptoms — particularly in cattle — is a fact well known to 

 most practitioners of veterinary medicine. Some confusion, 

 again, may occur as respects the differentiation of the chronic 

 form and severe articular rheumatism. In correctly diagnos- 

 ing either of the forms of disease resulting from the ingestion 

 of lead, the history of the cases will materially assist us. 



We are aware that these gastric disturbances simulating the 

 acute form are chiefly, if not entirely, connected with feeding 

 upon grasses or food of a particular character ; while in this 

 disease the nature of the food is immaterial, the only essential 

 being the presence of the poison in one form or another. 



Although the nature of the disturbed innervation in both 

 these morbid states is Avonderfully similar, a careful analysis of 

 the symptoms exhibited will give a speciality in each. In 

 lead-poisoning the epileptiform fits and muscular twitchings 

 come more frequent, and are upon the whole better marked, 

 as well as the champing or grinding of the teeth, the dis- 

 charge of saliva, and the tucked-up condition of the abdomen, 

 than where these phenomena are coincident with primary 

 gastric derangement, however occurring. 



In the chronic form of lead-poisonmg the data for forming 

 a correct diagnosis are more numerous and more reliable. 



