Sytnptoms of Acute Articular Rheiimatisni in Cattle. 543 



eluding the tendons and their synoveal sheaths. Suppuration is 

 much more common than in the same affection of the horse ap- 

 pearing to be due to a complex infection with pus microbes. In 

 walking in .severe cases the foot of the affected limb is planted 

 with great care and caution mainly on the toe and there appears to 

 be exquisite suffering when weight is thrown on it, .so that the 

 fetlock and knee may knuckle over and the patient comes to 

 the ground. Great infiltrations, fibroid, and other hyperplasias 

 and even calcifications are not uncommon. 



Cadeac describes as secondary articular rheumatism, those in- 

 fective inflammations of the joints that follow on parturition, 

 abortion, omphalitis, enteritis, etc. , but it is manifest that the.se 

 are special disorders due to the presence of the microbes of 

 specific diseases or their toxins and should be de.scribed with 

 these rather than with rheumatism. 



The course of acute rheumatism in the ox is very uncertain. 

 Mild cases may recover in a few days. In others the lesions be- 

 come extensive, great hyperplasia and induration occur around 

 the joint and permanent stiffness and even anchylo.sis may super- 

 vene. The occurrence of temporary improvements and relapses 

 is a common feature. The extension of the disease to other 

 joints, tendinous sheaths, mu.scles and even internal organs is to 

 be dreaded. Extreme tenderness of the back and loins when 

 handled or pinched, with groaning is a marked feature especiallj'- 

 in cold and damp times or in early morning. Cardiac complica- 

 tions show themselves by shortness of breath, jialpitations, hard 

 intermittent, irregular or unequal pulse, blowing nuirmur with 

 the first heart sound, and other signs of circulatory trouble. 

 Pleuritic, pulmonic and abdominal complications are also to 

 be looked for. The costiveness by which acute rheumatism is 

 ushered in, becomes complicated by congestion of stomach and 

 intestine, and impaction of the first and third stomachs, great dull- 

 ness, anorexia and even nervous disorder. Colic and even diar- 

 rhoea are occasional consequences. 



Many cases subside into a chronic forin which shows a variable 

 condition, better and worse, according to the condition of the 

 weather, the exposure to cold and damp, and even the changes 

 of diet. This may last throughout life. 



