TUBERCULOSIS OF THE DIGESTIVE TRACT. G99 



tympanites is due to the difficulty in eructation and to the impossi- 

 bility of rumination. The contents of the rumen pass slowly towards 

 the intestine until the onset of a fresh attack. 



On account of digestive difficulties, the animals rapidly lose flesh, 

 just as though they were suffering from extensive visceral lesions. 



TUBERCULOSIS OF THE DIGESTIVE TRACT. 



Tuberculosis of the digestive tract is rarer than tuberculosis of 

 the lungs or lymphatic glands, and occurs in two well-differentiated 

 clinical forms, that is to say, tuberculosis of the buccal and pharyngeal 

 membrane and tuberculosis of the intestines. Tuberculosis of the liver, 

 which is less easily recognised, is indicated by signs of dyspepsia. 



Bucco-Pharyngeal Tuberculosis. — This may be primary or secon- 

 dary, and occurs in the form of local or general glossitis or superficial 

 ulcerative stomatitis. 



In the former case the glossitis may be regarded as due to actino- 

 mycosis ; in the latter it can only be mistaken for simple ulcerative 

 stomatitis. 



It is accompanied by difficulty in mastication, and still more, where 

 the pharynx is invaded, in deglutition ; abundant frothy salivation in 

 feeding ; sometimes by true spasm of the pharynx and rejection of 

 masticated balls of food. 



Locally the buccal mucous membrane (cheeks, tongue, pillars of 

 the fauces, etc.) exhibit ulcerations, with festooned borders, in size 

 something between a florin and a five-shilling piece, covered with 

 a greyish-yellow, earthy-coloured exudation adhering firmly to the sub- 

 jacent parts. The margin of the ulceration is but slightly indurated, 

 and the tongue preserves its mobility, except in cases of general 

 deep-seated glossitis. 



The condition may continue for weeks and months without im- 

 provement. 



Intestinal Tuberculosis. — Tuberculous enteritis is always accom- 

 panied by tuberculosis of the mesenteric glands and of the sub-lumbar 

 lymphatic chain. It is indicated at first by chronic tympanites and 

 peritonism, unaccompanied, however, by atony of the rumen ; at a 

 later period by intermittent diarrhoea, which attains a maximum and 

 is followed by constipation. Finally, when there exist numerous in- 

 testinal ulcers, the diarrhcea is profuse and intractable, the animals 

 rapidly grow exhausted, and the disease spreads to other organs with 

 startling rapidity. 



The food is ill-digested and the faeces have a repulsive odour, as 

 has also the gas which escapes from the rumen when it is punctured. 



