Coccidia in the Intestines. Red Dysentery in Cattle. 497 



30. Coccidia in the Intestines. Coccidiosis intestinalis. 

 (a) Red Dysentery of Cattle. Dysenteria coccidiosa bovum. 



{Kokzdienruhr [German] ; Entcrite hcmorrhagique, Flux de 

 sang [French],) 



Red dysentery of cattle is a disease preferably of young an- 

 imals, generally occurring as an enzootic affection, and due to 

 Coccidium Ziirni; these are generally found in the large intes- 

 tines, preferably in the rectum. The disease manifests itself 

 particularly by hemorrhagic defecation. 



Historical. Ziiru was the first (1878) who found coccidia in the 

 inflamed intestines of a calf ; it was, however, only in 1892, that Zschokke 

 pointed out the etiologic relation between coccidia in the intestines 

 and red dysentery. Hess (1892) and Guillebeau (1893) confirmed 

 the findings of Zschokke, and Guillebeau made culture and inocula- 

 tion experiments. Others who have studied this disease were Degoix 

 (1904), Ziiblin (1908), also Bugge, Warringsholz & Sieg (1909). 



Occurrence. The disease occurs almost exclusively during 

 the warm season between the months of June and September 

 and especially in wet years ; it may, however, be observed here 

 and there later in the fall and even in winter. Commonly (95 

 to 100 per cent) animals become infected on the pasture and 

 preferably in mountainous parts, more rarely in lowlands. 



The disease has been observed particularly in the mountainous cantons of 

 Switzerland, in certain parts of France, but it has also occurred in Denmark (Poul- 

 sen), in North Germany, and has been observed in Hungary by Makoldy. 



Etiology. Coccidium Ziirni (Eimeria) is, according to 

 Martin and Ziiblin, a distinct species; according to Zschokke, 

 Hess and Guillebeau, it is, however, probably 

 identical with Coccidium cuniculi. Coccidia are 

 found in the feces of sick animals as round or 

 oval formations (oocysts) with a long diameter 

 of 10-20 /x according to Zschokke, 18-25 fj- accord- Fig. 65. intesti- 

 ing to Degoix, and 15-25 /. according to Ziiblin; "ordTn^'^^'to ^De" 

 the width varies between 10-20 /x. The highly goix,)"~ 

 refractive protoplasm is finely or coars-ely gran- 

 ular or globularly contracted (Fig. 65; it shows a light spot in 

 the center (nucleus). There are also seen hyaline folded mem- 

 branes; these are probably dead coccidia. The membrane of 

 unstained cells appears shining and peculiarly greenish violet 

 in color. 



The development of coccidia is as follows: In the oocysts voided with the 

 feces there appear four globular sporoblasts, if the conditions of moisture, heat and 

 access to free oxygen are favorable, within 2 to 6 days; these assume a spindle 

 shape and become sporocysts; in these two crescents or sickle-shaped sporozoites are 

 developed. These changes may occur in 4 or 5, or only in 14 or 15 days, accord- 



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