Kt'd Dvseuterv oC Cattle. 



499 



the small intestine of other species of animals is most pro- 

 foundly affected. 



After the epithelial cells have become invaded they are 

 shed and this produces a denudation of the glands and of the 

 mucosa, and the congested capillaries protrude free towards the 

 intestinal lumen. This explains the occurrence of intestinal 

 hemorrhages. At the same time irritation by coccidia produces 

 a small round cell infiltration of the mucosa and of the layers 

 l)eloAV it. Since the mucosa becomes denuded in spots and de- 

 prived of its protecting covering, an intense invasion of debili- 

 tated animals may lead to secondary infection by intestinal bac- 

 teria and this may produce severe enteritis and general infection. 



Anatomical Changes. One usually finds the intestines con- 

 tracted ; in the large intestine and particularly in the rectum one 

 finds thin fluid greenish or reddish-gray, to reddish-brown con- 

 tents, sometimes containing 

 distinct blood coagula or even 

 ichorous masses. The mucosa 

 of the rectum is usually af- 

 fected most profoundly, the 

 mucosa of the colon or cecum 

 much less or not at all, al- 

 though the latter sometimes 

 shows profound changes. The 

 mucosa shows strong corruga- 

 tion, reddening, swelling and a 

 mucoid, fibrinoid, yellowish or 

 grayish deposit sometimes 

 mixed Avith blood. In conse- 

 quence of the loss of epithelial 

 cells the surface of the mucosa 

 appears rough in places with 

 hemorrhagic spots or streaks. 

 Epithelial losses and floating 



shreds of mucus or detached epithelial cells are seen in 

 advanced cases, alternating with slate gray spots of the 

 mucosa. Necrotic processes in the large intestine with catar- 

 rhal or hemorrhagic inflammation in the small intestine are 

 frequently seen in consequence of a secondary infection. Nu- 

 merous coccidia (Fig. 66) are seen in the intestinal contents and 

 in detached shreds of the mucosa. The cadavers also exhibit the 

 signs of profound anemia and cachexia. 



Fig. 66. Position of intestinal coccidia in 

 tlie glands of Lieberklilin. Low magnifi- 

 cation. (According to Degoix.) 



Symptoms. The peculiarities of the development of coc- 

 cidia bring it about that the period of incubation of the disease 

 is comparatively long, about three weeks ; occasionally, however, 

 sjanptoms may come on after six or eight days (Bugge, War- 

 ringsholz & Sieg). On the basis of his observations Degoix 

 claims that the period of incubation is one or two months ; he 



