120 The Care of Animals 



as is the presence of foreign bodies, hair -balls and 

 parasites in the intestines-. Nails and other foreign 

 bodies are frequently found in the reticulum or " honey- 

 comb" of cattle, but are of no significance unless there 

 is some local injury. Soon after death the digestive 

 juices begin to .digest the stomach, and may produce 

 holes in its walls; and in cattle the lining membrane 

 usually slips off in large patches. These conditions 

 should not be mistaken for disease. 



The kidneys and bladder should be examined for 

 disease, or the presence of concretions, or "stones" or 

 "gravel," so called. The color of the urine in the 

 bladder is important. In horses, a dark red or brown- 

 ish urine indicates azoturia; and, in cattle, Texas fever. 



The color and consistency of the lungs are very 

 important. The healthy lung is very soft, spongy and 

 a very light pink in color. After death the blood 

 usually settles in the lower lung, making it dark in 

 color. If the lungs are hard and firm, and dark col- 

 ored, inflammation is indicated. When an inflamed 

 lung is cut across there is often a marbled appearance 

 and usually a fetid odor of decomposition. In tuber- 

 culosis or consumption, hard lumps are usually found 

 on the outside of the lungs, or on the chest- walls and 

 diaphragm or midriff. (Fig. 56, Chapter XVI.) The 

 lymphatic glands between the lungs are usually greatly 

 enlarged, and these, with the lumps mentioned, are 

 usually filled with a yellow cheesy material, or pus. 

 The throat, esophagus and nasal passages should be ex- 

 amined for foreign bodies or food that may have choked 

 the animal. 



