104 DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



nionly fouiul in tlie second .stomach of cattle. In two cases wires had 

 perforated the recticuhim and diaphragm, and in one the pericardium 

 "vvas adherent to the <liai)hragm, and injured. 



The omasum, or third stomach, is ahnost invariably in a normal con- 

 dition; and whereas there are some instances in Avhich it is consider- 

 ably distended, and the food i^acked dry between the folds, there is 

 no api)reciable difference between the condition in which we have found 

 it iu our numerous dissections, and the state we should expect to find it 

 in a similar number of healthy cattle. 



The abomasum, or fourth stomach, is almost invariably the seat of 

 distinct and specific changes. On opening it, throughout its whole length 

 it is found varying from a pink to a deep blood-red color over its cardiac 

 end. The pyloric end is more commonly of a natural color. But 

 although there is this marked difference in the general aspect of the 

 two sections of the abomasum, both present further and very character- 

 istic morbid appearances. In the cardiac end, three different forms of 

 lesion are seen, iu different cases. In some the folds, and even the mem- 

 brane between the folds, are studded irregularly with minute petechia3 

 of a <lark, blood-red color. Each petechia is like a flea-bite, though 

 somewhat smaller, aiul darker in color. Its center is dark, and some- 

 times softened or perforated. The areola around this center is well 

 defined and regular, offering a marked contrast to the surrounding mem- 

 brane, which, though usually congested and reddened, is not of the same 

 depth of color as the petechial spot. In other cases the reddened folds 

 are studded with minute yellowish-gray granulations, due to a change 

 iu the epithelium, which becomes swollen, and has a tendency to drop 

 off. Each granulation does not usually exceed the size of a pin's head. 

 This appearance is most marked where the folds are most congested; 

 and in some cases, where the congestion is slight, itrequires a somewhat 

 careful inspection to recognize the presence of this change. Scattered 

 throughout the folds, especially near their free edges, we find the 

 third change, which consists in marked erosions, as if the epithelium 

 had been peeled off" with a sharp finger nail. 



The maigins of the erosion are well defined, and of the color of the 

 surrounding membrane, or they are often paler. The center of each ero- 

 sion is of a blood-red or brownish color. 



It is very rare to find the pyloric end, however natural its general 

 aspect, Avithout some well-defined patch, off which the epithelium is strip- 

 ped and a dark, granular surface left, to which the green food adheres 

 more or less firndy. On the pyloric gland this erosion, as freiiuiMitly 

 observed, is of a zigzag form, and toleral)ly deep fissures into the mem- 

 brane give to the glaiul a shrivelled and wrinkled appearance. 



I have seen nearly the whole of the mucous surface in the i)yloric 

 antrum eroded ; but more commonly there are three, four, or more iso- 

 lat(id patches, varying from half an inch to even two inches in diameter. 



The duodenum is often of a deep red color. Sometimes its mucous 



