CHAPTER XXXV. 



SPOEADIC DISEASES. 



EHEUMATISM. 



ACUTE RHEUMATISM, OR RHEUMATIC FEVER. 



Definition. — An inflammation of the fibrous structures of the 

 joints, tendons, ligaments, thecse of muscles, or of the heart and 

 closed cavities, due to a specific condition of the blood, and 

 accompanied by fever, stiffness, and lameness. The inflamma- 

 tion is metastatic or erratic in its character, disappearing from 

 one part of the body to reappear in another, without any appre- 

 ciable cause. The inflamed parts are generally swollen and 

 hard, but in some instances no swelling can be detected. 



Characteristic of rheumatic inflammation both in man and the 

 lower animals are — (1.) The rarity of suppuration. This process 

 may and does sometimes occur, especially in horned cattle, from 

 inflammation of the superficial coverings of the diseased tissues, 

 caused by external bruising, or the application of powerful 

 external irritants. (2.) The occurrence of cardiac complications. 

 (3.) A natural predisposition or diathesis, which predisposes to 

 the malady without any ostensible cause. The form of the dis- 

 order in this instance is of a less acute nature, but may become 

 acute by the addition of any trivial cause of disease. 



Etiology. — The application of cold ; damp ; or it may result 

 from other diseases, as epizootic diseases, contagious eczema, or 

 from a natural predisposition without apprarent cause. 



Semiology. — The symptoms of rheumatic fever are as follows : 

 — Sudden lameness, with or without swelling of some particular 

 articulation, such as the stifle, hock, or fetlock joints ; the flexor 

 tendons, immediately below the knee or hock, in the sesa- 

 moidean bursa, the thecse of the muscles of the loins and quarters, 

 or of those of the thoracic walls, constituting pleurodynia. The 

 lameness may be preceded by some febrile disturbance or a 

 malaise condition, expressed by yawning, dulness, or dejection. 



