54 THE PRACTICE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. 



animal may assume the standing or a recumbent posture. 

 If the latter, he lies pretty well upon the sternum. Rigors 

 are observable, and soon a peculiar grunt is heard during 

 expiration. Rumination entirely ceases, and a slightly 

 tympanitic condition may occur. In some cases there is an 

 offensive diarrhoea, grating of the teeth, gangrene of the 

 lungs, and death. Young animals are more subject to the 

 disease than old animals. 



Post-mortem. — On a post-mortem examination, the inter- 

 lobular tissue is found to be principally involved. Exuda- 

 tion and hepatization have taken place. The lungs have 

 become consolidated and very heavy (much heavier than 

 they become in the sporadic form), and will sink on being 

 placed in water. The lungs present a peculiar marbled 

 appearance. This appearance also occurs in the sporadic 

 form, but not nearly to the same extent. The pleura is 

 also involved, and effusion of serum into the pleural cavity 

 has taken place. A circumscribed portion of lung may be 

 found dead and encysted, having been in that condition 

 perhaps for a year, or several years, and the animal at the 

 same time remain in pretty good condition. The affected 

 structure is very friable, and is easily broken down with the 

 fingers. Softening of the lung-tissue is sometimes found, 

 even proceeding to suppuration more or less extensive. 

 The contagion is said to be both fixed and volatile. It may 

 be distributed throughout a whole building, or through the 

 atmosphere in the same manner as small-pox. This is the 

 volatile form. It is said to be most powerful during the 

 first, or febrile stage of the disease. Stables are not safe to 

 put healthy cattle in for several months after being occupied 

 by diseased animals. The disease has been produced in 

 healthy animals by allowing them to run upon pastures 

 three months after diseased cattle have ceased to occupy 

 them. Hay soiled by infected animals has also produced 



