CONTAGIOUS DISEASES OF CATTLE. 441 



brought to our own shores. It first originated in central Europe, 

 and finally spread all over Europe. It gained access to America, 

 Great Britain, Africa, India, Australia, and New Zealand. The 

 first appearance of the disease in the United States was in the 

 year 1843. The disease prevailed in the eastern part of the 

 United States, in New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, 

 Pennsylvania, and in the neighborhood of the city of Washing- 

 ton, and later in Ohio, Kentucky, and Tennessee. 



Symptoms. — The disease may run a rapid course, destroying 

 life in a few days, but the majority of cases run from two to eight 

 weeks. The animal, becoming much emaciated, finally succumbs 

 to an exhausting diarrhoea, hydrothorax, and blood poisoning. 

 The first symptom is an increase of temperature. Investigation 

 has proven that extensive changes may exist without elevation of 

 temperature. It cannot, therefore, be depended upon as a guide 

 to its true commencement. But it is of great importance during 

 an outbreak to make examinations with the thermometer, in 

 order to warn the owners of stock in time to isolate the animal. 

 In suspected herds, if any should show a temperature of 102 

 degrees, it should be regarded with suspicion. When the disease 

 is well established the temperature rises to 105 or lOG degTees, 

 and in some cases 107° F. There will be slight shivering, loss 

 of appetite, diminished secretion of milk, knuckling Over of the 

 right hind fetlock, and the painful cough of pleurisy. Kuinina- 

 tion becomes irregular, the animal appears fuller than the rest 

 of the cattle, although not eating. The bowels are constipated, 

 the urine scanty and highly colored, and the animal is hide- 

 bound. Auscultation at this stage of the disease will denote 

 nothing unusual. The animal may show signs of improvement, 

 and may ultimately recover, or may pass on to the second stage 

 of the diseascj when all of the symptoms above mentioned are 

 intensified. The anmial stands with the elbows turned out, the 

 back arched, the limbs drawn under the body and knuckling over 

 at the fetlocks. When in a recumbent position, he throws fhe 

 weight upon the sternum. The breathing becomes painful, ac- 



