218 THE DISEASES AND DISORDERS OP THE OX. 



in all probability they will be, tapping with the fingers on the- 

 chest-walls will cause the animal to give a slight grunt of pain* 

 If the ear is applied to the sides of the chest, the gentle and 

 regular respiratory murmur, which is heard in the case of a 

 healthy animal, is found to be replaced by harsher, louder, and 

 more rasping sounds in certain parts. The animal may be lame,, 

 first in one limb and then in another. Some of the superficial 

 glands, for instance, that salivary gland which is called the 

 parotid,"^ because it is near the ear, and also those lymphatic^ 

 glands which are situated in the groin and arm-pit, are markedly 

 enlarged. This first period or stage of the disease may last for 

 months ; but a sudden chill or severe hardship of any kind may 

 rapidly usher in the symptoms of the second stage. 



Second Stage. — The signs mentioned above are now intensified* 

 The animals are emaciated and sluggish in their movements ; 

 they have a dull look, and the eyes are drawn back into the 

 orbital cavities. The skin is dry, that which covers the ribs is 

 closely adherent to them, and the hair lacks its healthy lustre, and 

 is often damp. Indeed, a slight amount of exertion produces 

 sweating, laborious breathing, and great distress. The weakness 

 may be so overpowering that the animal may try to obtain relief 

 by lowering its head even to the ground. The lining membranes 

 of the mouth and other orifices are pale yellow in colour. The 

 appetite is capricious and smaller than in health, and the function 

 of digestion is irregularly and weakly performed, so that, after 

 the animal has been feeding, the stomach may be more or less 

 blown up with gases, an occurrence which is not uncommon in 

 the ox, and not very serious, because it can be easily relieved as- 

 a rule. Constipation and diarrhoea may alternate. 



The milk is now diminished in amount as well as of inferior 

 quality. Moreover, cows which are in calf nearly always abort, 

 and this may cause death, while, even if the act of parturition 

 takes place at the proper time, it enfeebles the parent, and the 

 calf is sickly and likewise afflicted with tuberculosis, the same 

 ' disease as that from which the cow itself is suffering. The 

 cough is more persistent, and the animal expectorates a viscid, 

 usually inodorous, but sometimes offensive, matter, which may 

 contain yellowish cheesy flakes. The breathing is quicker and 

 interrupted. 



* From Trapa. -'beside," and ov<5, "the ear." 



