84 PATHOLOGY, 



hypertrophied, so loud, sharp, and knocking is tlie character of 

 its contraction. 



The contractile power of the muscles is generally much im- 

 })aired, fatigue being soon induced ; the bowels are often con- 

 stipated, the constipation being due to a want of tone in the 

 muscular coat. 



Though the muscular system manifests great loss of power 

 and tone, the nervous system seems to be exalted, excitement 

 being induced by very trivial causes, but this seeming exaltation 

 is in reality due to loss of strength and power. " The nervous 

 system in the ansemic condition may be likened to a spring 

 wMch originally was of a certain strength, requiring a certain 

 impressing, and reacting with a corresponding force, but having 

 become much weakened, is bent by much less force, and reacts 

 also with much less. Mobility and debility may be said briefly 

 to be the chief characteristics of the nervous actions in the 

 ansemiated," — (Dr. Handfield Jones.) 



The digestive powers are feeble and imperfect, and colicky 

 pains are induced by trivial causes ; tympanitis is frequent, and 

 results from the defective power of the muscular coat of the 

 alimentary canal. The secretion of the gastric juice is also 

 impaired, and results from the gastric follicles being insufficiently 

 supplied with nutritive materials. This constitutes a further 

 cause for the continuance and acrirravation of the ansemic condi- 

 tion, and acts as a bar to healthy digestion, though the food 

 supply be liberal and good, for healthy chyle cannot be formed 

 to renovate the blood if the primary digestion be impaired. 

 Most probably the accession of disease, when nutritious food is 

 supplied to half-starved animals, is due more particularly to 

 this cause. 



Anasarcous swellings of the limbs is a common symptom of 

 anaemia in the horse, but is rarely vritnessed in horned cattle. 

 In sheep, as already stated, dropsy of the cavities is frequently 

 witnessed. Under the term " spontaneous anasarca," Mr. Brown 

 of Melton-Mowbray has described the ansemic condition, with 

 dropsy of the cavities, in the horse. Mr. Brown says the disease 

 attacks one and two year old colts, grazing during the winter 

 season in wet, poor moorland, and is very prevalent in Lincoln- 

 shire; the disorder being manifested by swelling of the legs, 

 sheath, belly, and lips, and fmally the eyelids, the breath and 



