176 CAUSES, SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT OF 



PANCREAS AND SPLEEN. 



The character of the diseases of the pancreas is somewhat obscure. 

 Death may occur and yet we are unable to diagnose the disease — but it 

 is rare. When the secretions of the pancreas are impaired, the fatty 

 principles of the food pass off unchanged. This is seen in the human 

 being and in the dog. The animal falls off in condition ; there is weak 

 pulse and more or less abdominal pain ; fats pass unchanged ; pancreatic 

 calculi are also found — more frequently in cattle ; the large and small 

 ducts may be affected by them ; it is more likely to occur where the water 

 is largely impregnated with the salts of lime. Treat it by changing the 

 food and water, and give mineral acids. It is very hard to diagnose 

 correctly, and when you go into practice, and your patient dies from any- 

 thing out of the regular order of disease, always make a post mortem 

 examination. 



Splenic Apoplexy in Cattle should perhaps come under " anthrax." 

 This is rather common in cattle. It is an enlargement of the spleen 

 with blood, which interrupts its vital function, and causes disease. 

 Recent researches have thrown some light upon this subject, but it is 

 still a large field for investigation. It is a blood disease— the constitu- 

 ents of the blood are changed to a considerable extent. The blood, from 

 various causes, undergoes peculiar changes, and is brought to a stand-still 

 in the spleen. 



Causes. — It is now held that it is due to the presence of the bacillus 

 anthracis— small spores which enter the blood in some way or other, 

 either through the digestive system or through a wound. This is the 

 opinion generally held, but I think we meet with cases where it is hard 

 to account for it in this way. However, these spores may be carried in 

 different ways. I have seen a few where, I think, it could scarcely be 

 attributed to these spores, although it is now generally admitted that 

 these cause it. The exciting causes are changing from poor to rich food ; 

 a deficient supply of water, although it is pure, and pasturing the animals 

 upon low, damp lands in hot weather ; at one time plenty of water, 

 which becomes scarce and changed in character. Water containing a 

 large per cent, of solid matter, is liable to produce disease. I saw two 

 or three cases in the neighborhood of Paris, in the summer of 1872, 

 which was dry and hot. They received an irregular supply of good 

 water. Some of them died, and post mortems revealed lesions of the 

 spleen, presenting all the symptoms of splenous apoplexy. Then they 

 received plenty of water, and no more were attacked. It has been noticed 

 where animals have been fed upon turnips which were grown upon cer- 

 tain soils or manures ; but I am inclined to think it is due to spores get- 

 ting in in some way. If you meet with it, examine the character of the 

 food, pasture, etc., carefully. 



Symptoms are alarming and of short duration. An animal may be 

 apparently perfectly healthy at night and be dead in the morning, but he 

 may have been affected for some time, for it is noticed that the tempera- 

 ture is increased before other symptoms are shown, and after the pains 

 increase the temperature becomes less and natural. Then the animal 

 shows uneasiness ; the urine is high coloured, and is said, in some cases, 

 to be streaked with blood ; the pulse small and thready ; the breathing 

 accelerated and stertorous ; the head affected in various ways ; sometimes 

 comatose, at others convulsions, and sometimes the animal will bellow 

 with pain, and the symptoms are no sooner revealed than the animal is 

 dying. Nothing can be done in the way of treatment, but change the 

 locality, food and water, and make a thorough investigation of all the 



