100 



RHEUMATISM. 



Causation. First mentioned by Coulbeaux in 1824, and by Pauleau 

 in 1832, this disease has been well-studied by Ph. Heu. Old works 

 mention it as attacking good milkers in the best dairies around Paris, 

 and Heu declares it to be the most deadly disease after peripneumonia 

 and tuberculosis. 



This form of arthritis usually appears in an insidious form after 

 abortion, retention of the foetus, or post-partum metritis. In cases of 

 epizootic abortion infectious rheumatism sometimes assumes an epizootic 

 form, and completes the devastation begun by abortion. Under other and 

 much rarer circumstances it may follow enteritis of adults or attacks 

 of mammitis, etc. The pathogeny of these forms of arthritis is not 



Fig. 53. — Infectious rheumatism. Arthritis of the left stifle joint. 



difficult to understand, for in the greater number of instances they form 

 delayed consequences of local uterine infection. 



The soluble products secreted by infectious organisms multiplying 

 within the uterus are absorbed by the uterine mucous membrane, causing 

 slow intoxication ; and in consequence of the special elective affinity 

 which the toxins show for the articular serous membranes, and in many 

 cases also for the visceral serous membranes, the special characteristics 

 are developed. Under certain circumstances the joint cavity may even 

 become the seat of true microbic infection. 



Symptoms. The appearance of the first symptoms is difficult to 

 identify, for many cows abort, fail to " cleanse," or become affected with 

 metritis without infectious rheumatism supervening. It is a long-delayed 

 condition, which may be postponed for weeks or even for several months 

 after an abnormal parturition, and to a time when the symptoms of 

 metritis have almost entirely disappeared. The onset is characterised 



