214 PARASITOLOGY. 



Condition Produced. — The disease usually runs a 

 rapid and fatal course ; the animal does not greatly 

 lose in flesh in these acute attacks. The spleen is 

 enlarged and contents like blackberry jam; the kid- 

 neys dark and congested ; the urine port-wine col- 

 ored; the fat icteric; the liver congested. An animal 

 so affected is unfit for food. 



Symptoms. — The sheep at first show dullness, loss 

 •of appetite; stay apart from balance of flock; arched 

 back; weak; elevation of temperature, pule and 

 respiration. Swellings may be noted in the head or 

 neck. The duration of the disease is twenty-four 

 hours to four days. 



PiROPLASMA Canis (Cauis — dog). 



Distribution. — Found in Europe and Africa. 



Description. — The protozoon is larger than the 

 Piroplasma Bovis, when only one is found in a single 

 red blood cell ; as many as ten or twelve have been 

 counted; when many are found they are small, 

 rounded and may be irregular in their outline. Their 

 amoeboid movement has been noted in the blood 

 cells of the fresh specimens. They are noted to 

 elongate their bodies, then contract into spherical 

 masses. The cells present a swollen appearance 

 and are pale in color. After the acute stage of the 

 disease has passed, the parasite apparently ceases 

 its movements, remains stationary and has a round- 

 ed contour. 



Life Cycle. — The parasite multiplies in the red 

 blood cell. The nucleus of the adult becomes elon- 

 gated, then constricted in the center, finally dividing 

 into two. The newly formed nuclei pass to the side 



