27 



II.— CATTLE PLAGUE. 



1. — Name, Histoet, axd 1Cua.k-vctebistic.«. 



The proper name for this affection is "Steppe Disease," its true 

 home beinsj in the Steppes of Eussia. It is known in Grermany 

 as " Eiuderpest," and in England as "The Cattle Plague." It 

 can be identified as existing so long as 1,-iOO years ago ; and there 

 is little doubt but that the gi'eater part of the deadly outbreaks 

 of disease in domestic animals, and of the tremendous losses of 

 stock which hare frequently occurred in Europe, from time 

 immemoi'ial up to the present date, have been caused by this 

 horrible scourge. The cattle plague almost always followed the 

 course of the great Coutinental wars, and generally carried off 

 more stock than the invading armies. This is only what was to 

 be expected in outbreaks of such a highly infectious and deadly 

 disease, the average percentage of dea-ths in animals attacked with 

 the cattle plague being even now, under the most skilful treat- 

 ment, rather over than under SO per cent. 



2. — Natuee. 



The cattle plague is a highly contagious fever, with inflamma- 

 tion and specific lesions in the alimentary canal, which correspond 

 with those of typhoid or enteric fever in man. It is most 

 infectious, and its germs may be conveyed to sound stock in 

 hundreds of ways. 



Incubation. — The period of this extends from twenty-four hours 

 to ten days, and the attack from five to fourteen days. 



3. — Symptoms. 



In the first stage, some of the symptoms are to the unpractised 

 observer very much like those of foot and mouth disease ; but in 

 cattle plague the internal heat increases by from 2 to 1\ 

 degrees Fahr. The visible membranes, especially around the eyes 

 and on the nose and lips, are dry, red, and hot, but the redness is 

 partial and patchv ; the animal shivers, it has often a short husky 

 cough, its coat stares, it loses its appetite, its secretions are 

 arrested, &c., &c. 



In the second stage, there will be drooping head, distressed 

 look, hanging ears, failing pulse, strong catarrhal symptoms, 

 incessant grinding of the teeth, and eruptions on the nose, lip?, 

 mouth, and tongue, with a copious flow of saliva from the mouth, 

 fetid breath, laboured breathing, painful cough, arched back, 

 intense thirst, tender loins, &c., &c. 



