Epizootic Laryngo-tracheitis of Cattle. 45 



season, even light work in the open. These measures are better than 

 the administration of medicines. Sometimes change of location brings 

 about a disappearance of the epizootic. Complications which may- 

 come on require proper special treatment. The stables must be thor- 

 oughly disinfected. 



Literature. Bachstadt, Z. f. V., 1904, 429.— Christian, Z. f. Vk., 1901, 206.— 

 Joly, Eec, 1888, 612.— Lignieres, Bull., 1897, 496.— Meyer, Miinch. T. W., 1909, 

 361.— Pr. Mil., Vb., 1899, 1908.— Schuhmager, H. L., 1909, 135.— Zorn, W. f. Tk., 

 1888. 249. 



Epizootic Laryngo-tracheitis of Cattle. In 1890 there was observed 

 in some parts of Bavaria an acute catarrh of the respiratory passages 

 in cattle which spread enzootically and even epizootically, and which 

 was believed to stand in some relation to an influenza epidemic which 

 was then very prevalent in man. More or less similar enzootics and 

 epizootics have since been observed repeatedly, and they have been 

 designated as epizootic laryngo-tracheitis (Zimmermann) or as influenza- 

 like affections (Brauer, Prietsch), or as infectious catarrh of the 

 respiratory passages (Schmidt, Lewek). According to Lewek all these 

 various affections are one and the same infectious disease, peculiar 

 to cattle, which makes its appearance either sporadically or enzootically, 

 particularly in south Germany. Cattle distemper ( Janson) or influenza 

 of cattle (Harms) deviates materially from the above affection, but 

 they may be here considered, since their true etiology has not yet been 

 cleared up. 



The simultaneous appearance in Bavaria of this disease and of human influenza 

 was undoubtedly only an accidental occurrence. Zimmermann failed to observe 

 a simultaneous occurrence of the two diseases. 



Epizootic laryngo-tracheitis or the influenza-like affections of cattle 

 are contagious and are often imported by newly acquired animals 

 (Zimmermann, Schmidt). The disease is evidently of bacterial origin, 

 (In 8 cases examined Lewek found Gram-positive bacilli four times, 

 once Gram-positive cocci and three times a mixture of both.) A longer 

 transportation on railroads or aboard of ships seems to predispose to 

 the infection and the disease is therefore often observed in cattle after 

 shipment. According to Zimmermann the period of incubation is 

 two to three, and according to Lewek, one to four days. 



A contagious catarrh of the upper respiratory passages of epizootic character 

 has also been observed in goats (Pr. Vb.). 



Symptoms. We first observe a dry, painful cough coming on in 

 attacks. The temperature rises to above 41° C, there is marked tender- 

 ness of the larynx and of the trachea, also marked reddening of the 

 nasal mucosa and in the further course a watery or mucous nasal 

 discharge associated with a mild conjunctivitis, occasionally also swell- 

 ing of the eyelids. Rough, whistling, later on drawn and rattling, 

 noises are heard over the region of the larynx. If bronchitis is present 

 there is difficulty of respiration ; the latter may also be due to a broncho- 

 pneumonia which develops after two to three days in 50% of the 

 cases (Schmidt). The appetite is usually much diminished. The 

 disease usually lasts one to two, more rarely, two to three weeks, and 



