74 RINDERPEST. 



Here it may be desirable to insist upon the necessity 

 of a very careful diagnosis. This should be made at the 

 earliest possible opportunity of observation, and then with 

 all the precision which scientific research demands. We have 

 already observed the great importance of thermometric obser- 

 vations as testing the commencement of feverish action at a 

 time anterior to its sensible perception by ordinary methods. 

 Where the means of applying this test are not afforded, it 

 will be proper to observe the condition of the papillae of the 

 buccal cavity (and where easily done of the Schneiderian mem- 

 brane) before epithelial desquamation has taken place. These 

 will show to the eye (more thoroughly if aided with an ordi- 

 nary lens), enlargement if not engorgement, in the uprising 

 of small round nodules (seldom according to Jessen larger 

 than a millet seed), with marked redness beginning at the 

 apex. The papillae are still covered with epithelium, be- 

 neath which, after a little while, a yellowish or yellowish 

 gray fluid can be seen. Within twenty-four hours, the invest- 

 ing membrane breaks away, and if the neighboring papillae 

 are not then aflPected, the minute orifice may soon be hidden 

 and heal ; but if they are, their cicatrices become confluent, 

 the epithelium is rolled off in masses, the scarlet redness of 

 the subjacent mucous membrane is quite apparent, with irre- 

 gular marginal outline. As others in a widening circle 

 become affected, redden, and desquamate towards the outer 

 rim, the central portion thus run over, loses its ruby tinge, 

 and gradually assumes an aphthous or gray appearance, mis- 

 taken by the ignorant for an ulcer. 



The philosophy of this action in these minute nodules can 

 only be fully revealed through microscopic teachings, which 

 show that each papilla and the villi (fringe-like hairs which 

 emanate from it and give to all mucous membranes, more 

 especially in the smaller bowels, a velvety appearance), are 

 furnished with a complete vascular plexus (arterial mainly 

 in the villi*) ; and that through such exceedingly delicate net- 

 work the diseased blood corpuscles are borne, and are thus 

 enabled to expend their peculiarly destructive action upon 



* See Qaain*B Anatomy. 



