DISEASES OF CATTLE 93 



examination, however, is recommended. If due to con- 

 traction of the neck of the womb it can be readily dilated 

 by the use of the hand, after being greased with Car- 

 bolated Sweet Oil before attempting to perform the oper- 

 ation. 



BLACK LEG 



(Symptomatic Anthrax — Black Quarter) 

 Cause: Due to germs. The Bacillus of Black Leg 

 perhaps gains entrance to the blood by wounds of the 

 skin or the mucous membranes lining the mouth and the ,, 

 intestines. This disease principally affects cattle, al- 

 though sheep and goats may become affected with the 

 same disease. 



Symptoms: This disease affects cattle that are in 

 good condition between the ages of six months and two 

 years. In most cases death is very sudden, and perhaps 

 the animal is found dead. The first symptoms are high 

 temperatures from 104° to 108° F., loss of appetite, the 

 animal stops chewing the cud, breathing considerably 

 hurried, the joints of the limbs become swollen, also the 

 chest and shoulders. All the swellings are painful on 

 pressure and spread very rapidly over the body. The 

 affected animals move with great difficulty and lie down 

 frequently. If the hand is passed over the body, there 

 is a peculiar crackling sound due to the gas developing 

 under the skin. At the most distended portions of the 

 swellings, the skin becomes dry and the animal apparent-, 

 ly has no sense of feeling. If the skin is punctured at 

 this place, there will be a dark-red, frothy discharge 

 which has a very disagreeable odor. There will be a 

 shivering of the muscles and the animal dies from con- 

 vulsions. 



Treatment : Eemove non-affected animals to non-in- 

 fected pastures, and confine affected animals to as small 

 a territory as possible. The carcasses of the dead ani- 

 mals should be buried deep and covered with lime or 

 burned, being very careful that all blood stains on the 



