624 DISEASES OF CATTLE, SHEEP, GOATS, ETC. 



well as possessing, while in a growing stage, a bitter taste, the sheep 

 exhibit aversion towards eating it except under the spur of hunger. 



SYMPTOMS OF ASTER POISONING. 



Weakness of locomotory muscles with prostration; later weak- 

 ness extends to the muscles of the neck. Temperature about 103 to 

 104.5. Pulse very rapid and weak, 92 to over 300. 



Respirations dyspneic (labored) with mucous rales. 



Tympany (bloat) is generally pronounced. Abdominal pain, 

 evidenced by groaning. 



Diuresis (increased secretion of urine). Froth, often sanguin- 

 ous (bloody), from the air passages. 



The mucous membranes vary from anaemic (bloodless) to cya- 

 notic (bluish). 



The stools are soft, with mucous, to very soft. 



Pupils are sometimes noticeably dilated. 



Cerebral symptoms present in a few instances. 



Before death complete prostration and apparent unconscious- 

 ness. 



Course. Varies from a few hours to three or four days, accord- 

 ing to the amount of plant ingested and the condition of the plant. 



Treatment. Co-operation with most of the sheepmen in the 

 vicinity gave H. S. Eakins, field man in charge of the camp, consid- 

 erable opportunity for trying out experimental treatments. 



Tapping was not productive of very good results; some relief, 

 however, being afforded by escape of some of the gas. 



Stimulants and carminatives or anti-ferments were chiefly in- 

 dicated. 



AUTOPSIES. 



Rumen: Fermentation producing a frothy mass with a small 

 amount of flatus. 



Omasum: Slight inflammation with some desquamation (shed- 

 ding) of epithelium of mucous folds or leaves. 



Intestines: Slight enteritis (inflammation of intestine). Co- 

 litis (inflammation of colon) and proctitis (inflammation of rectum) 

 sometimes present. 



Liver: Passive congestion. Cloudy swelling with focal necrosis 

 (death). 



Spleen: Congested. 



Pancreas: Slight congestion. 



Lymph Glands: Congested. 



Kidneys: Acute nephritis albuminoid degeneration. 



Bladder: Generally full, with some cystitis (inflammation). 



Lungs: Badly congested (passive), with edema (dropsical swell- 

 ing) and itis (inflammation). Pleuritic (from pleura) effusion 

 (pouring out of fluid) . 



Trachea and air passages: Injected. 



Heart: Hydro-pericardium (fluid in heart sac) ; petechia (blood 

 spots) of myocardium (heart muscle) with myocarditis (inflamma- 

 tion of) . 



Brain: Occasionally slight cerebritis; veins injected. 



