DISEASES OF CATTLE 233 



Lesions. The characteristic lesions of hemorrhagic septice- 

 mia consist of hemorrhagic areas in the subcutaneous, subserous, 

 and muscular tissues, the lymph glands, and the viscera; in fact, 

 they are distributed more or less widely throughout the body and 

 vary in size from a mere speck to the diameter of a half dollar or 

 even larger. The superficial form presents itself first as a doughy 

 tumefaction of the skin about the region of the throat, neck, dewlap, 

 or legs, and which pits on pressure. This tumefaction consists es- 

 sentially of a sero-gelatinous exudate into the subcutaneous and 

 intermuscular tissues. 



Bloody extravasations may take place in subcutaneous tissues 

 in various localities, but they are usually seen about the lower por- 

 tion of the neck. The mucous membranes and submucous tissues 

 of the mouth, tongue, pharynx, and larynx become involved in 

 the process and are greatly thickened, inflamed, and infiltrated with 

 serum. The mucous membrane becomes reddish purple, and that 

 of the nostrils may in addition show hemorrhagic spots on its sur- 

 face. The lymphatic glands in this region are also swollen and 

 infiltrated with bloody serum. The salivary glands are pale and 

 dry. The pectoral type, though at times existing alone, may co- 

 exist with the cutaneous form. The inflammatory edema of the 

 mouth extends to the mucous membrane of the trachea and bron- 

 chi, producing an extensive thickening and a yellowish infiltration. 

 The lung shows interstitial thickening, due to the outpouring of 

 serum into its meshes. It may become pneumonic. 



The diaphragm, heart sac, and heart walls show numerous hem- 

 orrhagic points and larger bloody extravasations. Sometimes there 

 is a serous pleurisy, with more or less fibrinous exudate. In the in- 

 testinal form the submucous and subperitoneal tissues show altera- 

 tions from a few hemorrhagic spots to large bloody suffusions, or 

 even gelatinous infiltrations. This latter is seen about the region 

 of the pancreas and in the folds of the mesentery. There is a severe 

 hemorrhagic inflammation of the intestines and a staining of the 

 intestinal contents with blood. The muscular system throughout 

 shows hemorrhagic areas. The abdominal viscera, liver, spleen, 

 and kidneys often present hemorrhagic lesions. 



Differential Diagnosis. Anthrax, which presents superficial 

 swellings, like hemorrhagic septicemia, may be distinguished from 

 that affection on postmortem examination by the enlargement and 

 engorgement of the spleen, the contents of which are soft and tarry. 

 The blood of anthrax animals is very dark, and does not become 

 light red on exposure to air, nor does it coagulate, while in hemor- 

 rhagic septicemia the blood is normal in appearance and coagulates. 

 The detection of the anthrax bacillus in the blood would be final. 



In blackleg the animals affected are usually under 2 years of 

 age. The swellings are quite evident, and usually occur on the 

 legs, above the knees or hocks, and are distended with gas, which 

 crackles, or crepitates, when pressed upon. If one of these tumors 

 be opened, a bloody serum will exude, and the contained gas gives 

 off the odor of rancid butter. The internal hemorrhages are not 



