144 CONTAGIOUS DISEASES. 



successfully controverts the conclusions of Dr. Murcliison, and 

 if the reader is desirous of further information he may consult 

 that work with cjreat advantacre. 



In addition to the general symptoms of cattle plague which 

 are embraced in the foregoing observations, the more particularly 

 visible signs are worthy of notice ; and these are shivering, 

 muscular twitchings, restlessness, often a husky cough, yawning, 

 sometimes great dulness, with drooping of the ears, sometimes 

 excitement approaching to delirium, appetite at first capricious, 

 but soon becoming entirely lost, suspension of rumination, and 

 secretion of milk arrested. The latter symptom was one of great 

 significance amongst cattle owners during the prevalence of the 

 plague, the arrestation being much more sudden and complete 

 than in any other disease. The shiverings and muscular twitchings 

 are not always observable in the earlier stages of the disease, but 

 often seem to usher in the second stage, when the symptoms pre- 

 sent a more aggravated character. The animal now incessantly 

 grinds its teeth, arches the back, and draws its legs together, 

 moans, and otherwise shows signs of much uneasiness. The 

 eyes, mouth, and nose are at first dry, hot, and red ; the legs and 

 ears are generally cold. At first the bowels are constipated, but 

 this condition is succeeded by violent purging, and the dry con- 

 dition of the mouth, nose, and eyes is followed by a discharge of 

 a glairy watery character, soon assuming an opaque or turbid 

 nature, which is very typical of the disease. The resj)iratory 

 movements are generally but not always accelerated; the in- 

 spiratory movement is quickened, whilst the expiratory is rather 

 prolonged, and accompanied by a low moan. 



The colour of the visible mucous membranes becomes pecu- 

 liarly altered. In some cases they present a characteristic 

 salmon-red colour over their whole extent, with deep crimson-red 

 patches interspersed here and there. 



Dr. Sanderson, in his Eeport to the Commissioners, and Pro- 

 fessor Gamgee, in his book on the Cattle Plague, quote the 

 observations of Jessen and other Continental veterinarians. 

 Jessen says — " The appearances observed by me on the mucous 

 membrane of the mouth, both in the natural and inoculated 

 disease, are as follows : — ' In some cases, small round nodules, 

 seldom larger than a millet seed, are observed, which are still 

 covered with epithelium, through which a yellowish or yellowish- 



