2G8 PARASITES OF THE DIGESTIVE APPARATUS. 



STRONGYLOSIS OF THE ABOMASUM IN THE OX. 



Although well studied by Stadelmann and Ostertag in Germany, and 

 by Stiles in America, this disease has not yet been regarded in France as 

 giving rise to accidents. 



It is produced by the Strongylus conrolutus rel Ostertagi, which 

 becomes embedded under the epithelium of the mucous membrane and 

 causes the formation of small nodules, the size of a pin's head or lentil, 

 which can be detected on palpation. The cavity thus formed beneath 

 the epithelium communicates with the gastric cavity by a little orifice, 

 through which the cephalic end of the parasite passes. 



PARASITIC GASTRO-ENTERITIS, DIARRHOEA, AND ANEMIA 

 IN CATTLE, SHEEP AND LAMBS. 



A disease characterised by anaemia with wasting and diarrhoea is 

 sometimes produced in cattle by the presence in the fourth stomach 

 of small strongyles varying in size between 3 and 9 millimetres in length, 

 according to the variety encountered. One variety of the smaller size 

 has been named by McFadyean Strongylus gracilis. Penberthy, who 

 described the disease in the Jour, of Comp. Path, and Theraii. for 1894, 

 p. 249, states that in certain cases he also found the Strongylus ventri- 

 cosus, the Tricocephaliis affiinis, and minute straight worms about ^^ of 

 an inch long, which he regarded as anguillulae. Neumann declares 

 that pernicious anaemia with catarrh of the abomasum in young animals 

 is due to Strongylus conrolutus. 



The symptoms comprise anaemia, wasting, and diarrhcea of varying 

 severity. In acute cases, which are common between the ages of six 

 months and two years, husk is sometimes (accidentally) present. The 

 disease is rarest in summer. Certain animals lose flesh rapidly, though 

 appetite is retained. Acute fcetid watery diarrhoea follows. The animal 

 shows tenesmus, appears dejected, and has a temperature of 103° to 

 105° Fahr. The mucous membranes become pale, the pulse small and 

 weak, the appetite capricious, the eyes sunken, belly tucked up, coat harsh 

 and dry and hide tight. Wasting is rapid. The animals are listless, and 

 often lie down for long periods. Death occurs from exhaustion. 



The parasite. Scrapings from the abomasum and intestine when 

 diluted with water and viewed under a lens show minute bodies re- 

 sembling short, fine hairs. When isolated these are easily visible with 

 the naked eye. In situ they appear to be lying on the mucous mem- 

 brane, sometimes with the head fixed in the latter. They vary in length 

 from ^5 to 2% of an inch, and are brownish in colour. For a detailed 

 description see Penberthy loc. cit. McFadyean {Jour, of Comp. Path, and 



