108 Hemorrhagic Septicemia of Cattle. 



As the first symptom a rapid rise in the body temperature 

 to over 40° C. is observed. This is accompanied by an acceler- 

 ated pulse, dullness, rough coat and muscular trembling. At 

 the same time the surface of the body feels alternately hot and 

 cold, while the muzzle is cold and dry. There is also cessation 

 of appetite, rumination and milk secretion. The peristalsis 

 of the rumen and intestines is retarded; constipation at this 

 stage may also be noticed. Later, symptoms of colic appear 

 with much straining when the animals pass instead of the 

 usual dry, dark brown feces, a mushy and finally a thin, fetid 

 fluid which is not infrequently mixed with fibrin and mucous 

 flakes as well as wdth blood. In the meantime blood frequently 

 exudes from the nose and sometimes the urine may also con- 

 tain blood. In addition to these manifestations one or the other 

 form of the disease finally develops during the further course 

 of the malady. 



According to Carrougeau as well as Reynolds, Wilson and Brim- 

 hall, the temperature may be either normal or subnormal, and Mezey 

 observed in a fallow deer a temperature of only 37° C. with symptoms 

 of a marked apathy, inappetence and bloody excrements. 



Guerrieri observed the disease in Sardinia (Male della ferula) in 

 a peracute form when the animals, while ruminating or feeding, sud- 

 denly ran away like mad, staggered, collapsed, and died with escape of 

 blood from the nose. 



In the edematous (exanthematous) form the head and neck 

 swell, especially in the region of the throat and dewlap, as a 

 result of the rapidly increasing' inflammatory edema of the 

 subcutaneous connective tissue, causing a deformity of these 

 parts. There is also swelling of the legs and in rare cases 

 the swelling may commence at one of the extremities and spread 

 from there to the neck and body (Ratz). In such cases in- 

 flammatory enlargement of the different joints may be observed. 

 Over the swollen parts of the body the skin is very tense, warm 

 and sensitive. On the eyes an acute conjunctivitis develops, 

 frequently with a yellowish coloration of this membrane. There 

 is profuse lachrymation, the tears running down the face. The 

 buccal mucous membrane is bright red, warm, dry and swollen. 

 Deglutition is difficult or impossible, so that the saliva accumu- 

 lates in the mouth, and dribbles from the corners of the mouth 

 in long, tenacious strings. The tongue swells to such an extent 

 that it entirely fills the buccal cavity, and a part of it may even 

 protrude between the teeth. It is bluish-red, or dirty reddish- 

 brown and shows on its lower surface impressions of the teeth, 

 while at both sides of the frenum the mucous membrane of 

 the floor of the mouth is bunched up in thick, flabby, gelatinous 

 rolls. 



Respiration is very difficult and frequently stertorous. All 

 the mucous membranes are cyanotic, often studded with hemor- 

 rhages, and finally the animals die of asphyxiation, or the 



