128 THE DISEASES OF DOMESTIC AXIMALS. 



Young animals are far more susceptible to it than old ones. In 

 the latter it is a very rare occurrence. 



The microscopic examination of the blood, iiesh, etc., of the dis- 

 eased animals allows us a Yiew of the nature of the disease, for 

 everywhere we find the same characteristic — movable, delicate bacilli 

 and micrococci. 



The disease, in all probability, must be looked uj^on as an acute 

 putrid infection. Numerous facts seem to strengthen this view. 

 Aside from the resemblance of the bacteria to those frequently 

 found in putrid masses, we have the acute course, the complication 

 of the lymph-glands and spleen, the textural decomposition, the de- 

 velopment of gases, and its transmission to other animals by injec- 

 tion of its fluids into their organisms. 



The necroscopical results following experiments with purely 

 septic fluids are the same in general as those obtained in this dis- 

 ease. 



The fact that similar bacteria are to be found in the surround- 

 ings of the animals — swamps, stable-fluids — makes it almost sure 

 that this is due to infection from outward and the multiplication of 

 the germs in the infected organism. 



The disease is neither contagious nor is it of a transportable 

 nature, and thus is strongly distinguished from true animal pests. 

 Infection from animal to animal, or by means of vehicles, has never 

 been proved. The diseased animals come as isolated cases in the 

 midst of numerous others, both in the fields and stables. Some- 

 times several cases may occur among a herd ; but then they have 

 been exposed to the same external causes, and of the herd are those 

 in which the inner condition renders them susceptible to infection. 



This predisposition to the disease must be especially emphasized, 

 otherwise we are utterly unable to explain why it should only oc- 

 cur in young animals, and of these the best developed and con- 

 ditioned are in general the ones to become affected, while the re- 

 mainder of the herd are subjected to the same feed, and exposed to 

 like external conditions. The flesh from such animals has and re- 

 tains an alkaline reaction, while normal flesh soon acquires an acid 

 reaction. 



The therapeutic treatment of animals ha^nng this disease has 

 so far been entirely useless. Carbolic acid, and external cleansing 

 and disinfection of the animals, should be tried, however. 



Experience has proved that the meat from such animals ca7i 

 be eaten, if well cooked, with but little danger to the consumer ; 

 whether it is justifiable or not, is another question. If it is to be so 



