644 INTESTINAL SYMPTOMS AND FUNCTIONAL DISORDERS. 



tion of particular articles of diet, are capable of exercising on 

 the young receiving their principal sustenance from the milk- 

 supply. 



Anatomical Characters. — These are of rather more frequent 

 occurrence than in the ordinary diarrhoea of the adult ; they 

 may not be met with in every instance, and when existing are 

 of variable character and intensity. In some there is a 

 moderate amount of dark-coloured serous fluid in the abdopainal 

 cavity, Avith a few spots or patches of ecchymosis on the serous 

 surface of the boAvels, while, where the intestine is most involved, 

 the mesenteric glands in connection with the section affected 

 are somewhat enlarged, darkened in colour, and rather softened. 

 The intestines are generally emjjty, while the mucous mem- 

 brane in many parts of its tract is merely covered with a 

 catarrhal discharge ; while in others the velvety epithelium is 

 removed in patches, leaving what may be regarded as exten- 

 sive but superficial erosions. In various portions of the canal, 

 particularly where the glandular structures are situated, the 

 mucous membrane is oedematous from infiltration of a gela- 

 tinous material ; while on examination of the material, which 

 is spread over the membrane of the canal, or in some places 

 collected in greater amount, may be found a large quantity of 

 epithelium with what appears as minute organisms or micro- 

 cocci, mycelium filaments, or bacterial forms; whether these 

 latter are to be regarded as specific or only of adventitious 

 origin does not appear certain. The other viscera of the 

 abdomen are not as a rule much altered in appearance, with 

 the exception of the liver, which may be bloodless and of a 

 pale clay-colour. 



Symptoms. — These usually make their appearance during 

 the first fortnight of the animal's life, while up to the occur- 

 rence of the disturbance the creature may apparently have 

 been in the enjoyment of full health and vigour. The character 

 and frequency of the evacuations are most probably the earliest 

 symptoms attracting attention. In many of the milder cases 

 at first, and even throughout the entire course of the diarrhoea, 

 there is little disturbance or irritation with the repeated dejec- 

 tions of the yellowish- white focal matter ; in the more seriously 

 affected from the outset, and in the greater number Avhich 

 continue for some time, the fioces, while varying in consistence, 



