446 DISEASES OF CATTLE, SHEEP, GOATS, ETC. 



ter process may be almost noninflammatory, and attended with little 

 inconvenience or importance other than a blemish to the animal, 

 which in cattle is not serious. It may occur on the back part of the 

 leg above the fetlock or on the inner and fore part of the hock, cor- 

 responding in its location to windgalls and bog spavin of the horse. 

 Continuous support by bandages will generally force reabsorption, 

 and as the limb is not subjected to violent action, as in the case of the 

 horse, the affection is not so liable to recur. 



RHEUMATISM. 



Rheumatism is a constitutional disease due to a specific condi- 

 tion of the blood and characterized by inflammation of the fibrous 

 structures of the body. It is usually accompanied by stiffness, lame- 

 ness, and fever. The parts affected are usually swollen, but swelling 

 may be lacking. The inflammation may be transitory that is, it 

 changes from place to place. The parts usually affected are the 

 fibrous structures of the joints, tendons, ligaments, and muscles. The 

 serous membranes and heart may also be affected. According to its 

 location, rheumatism is specified as articular or muscular. Accord- 

 ing to its course, it is designated as acute or chronic. 



Cause. Among the factors which are actively causative of 

 rheumatism may be mentioned exposure to dampness and cold, espe- 

 cially while the animal is perspiring or fatigued after severe physical 

 exertion. Among other causes often mentioned are acidity of the 

 blood, nervous derangement, microbes, and injuries. It occasionally 

 follows another disease, such as pleurisy. The influence of age and 

 heredity may be considered as secondary or predisposing causes. 

 Sometimes the disease appears without any apparent cause. On the 

 whole, it may be said that any of the above-mentioned factors may 

 have more or less influence on the production of rheumatism, but 

 the specific cause is as yet unknown. 



Symptoms of Articular Rheumatism. The symptoms appear 

 suddenly and with varying degrees of severity. The animal presents 

 a downcast appearance, with staring coat, horns and ears cold, and 

 the mouth and muzzle hot and dry. Appetite and rumination may 

 be impaired and followed later or be accompanied at the same time 

 by constipation. Constipation may be followed by impaction of the 

 stomach or bowels. Thirst is increased, but the amount of urine 

 voided is scanty. Respiration and pulse are accelerated, and there is 

 usually a fever, rising sometimes as high as 108 F. The animal 

 prefers to lie down, and when forced to rise stands with its back 

 arched. The movements are stiff and lame and cause great pain. 

 The disease may attack one or more joints at the same time; in fact, 

 it is often symmetrical. One joint may improve while another be- 

 comes affected, thus showing the shifting tendency of the inflamma- 

 tion. The affected joints, including their tendons, ligaments, and 

 synovial membranes, may be swollen, hot, and distended with liquid. 

 They are very tender, and, if treated carelessly or injured, may be- 

 come infected, thus leading to suppuration. While rheumatism at- 

 tacks perhaps more frequently the knees and fetlocks, it has no spe- 

 cial affinity for any joint and may attack the stifle, hip, shoulder, or 



