136 Biological Therapy 



ETIOLOGY. Bacillus bovisepticus. 



SYMPTOMS. The period of incubation is short, one t6 

 two days, while the temperature is elevated from 104 to 108 

 degrees. Swelling of the sternum is frequently observed. 

 Just previous or subsequent to death hemorrhages from any 

 of the natural openings are commonly observed. 



Pulmonary Form. Labored respiration is associated 

 with nasal discharge and cough. Rumination is suspended 

 and inappetence is marked. Cyanosis of the mucous mem- 

 branes, admixed with petechia, is followed by dyspnoea and 

 death. Cases which do not terminate in an early death 

 develop the symptoms usually associated with pneumonia. 



Intestinal Form. Temperature may or may not be 

 elevated. Marked cessation of milk flow and peristalsis 

 which is followed by constipation, then by diarrhoea. Ab- 

 dominal pains may be followed by a bloody discharge from 

 any of the body openings and by bloody urine. 



Edematous Type. This is marked by local swellings of 

 the dewlap, legs and other connective tissue parts. The 

 tongue becomes swollen and the mucous membranes 

 cyanotic and covered with petechia, while drooling is pro- 

 fuse. Conjunctivitis and lachrymation are frequently pres- 

 ent and the local swellings become hot and painful. The 

 tongue may be so swollen as to fill the entire mouth and 

 cause asphyxiation. 



Nervous Type. Frequently referred to as "mad itch." 

 Any or all of the symptoms already described may be ob- 

 served. However, there may be no apparent symptoms other 

 than intense itching and cerebral symptoms. In such cases 

 death occurs in twenty-four to forty-eight hours. 



LESIONS. The disease is characterized by hemor- 

 rhages and petechia of the subcutaneous tissue, heart, bowels, 

 kidneys, bladder, peritoneum and all other organs. They 

 are particularly marked on the serous surfaces and vary 

 greatly both in size and shape. The feces and urine are 

 blood stained while subcutaneous and intramuscular 

 hemorrhages may be marked. There is frequently observed 

 an excessive amount of straw colored serous fluid in the 

 abdominal or thoracic cavities. The latter may be associ- 

 ated with an endocarditis. 



TREATMENT. Medicinal treatment for this disease 

 is of little value on account of the acute septicemic nature of 

 the disease and the rapidity with which death occurs. A 



