Dourine 761 



may arise from loss of power in the penis or from extreme 

 paralysis of the posterior parts. 



The effect of the disease upon the powers of reproduction 

 is very profound. In the earlier stages, the stallion may be 

 capable of impregnating mares, which, if he does not infect 

 them with the disease, may give birth to healthy foals. As 

 the disease progresses, while the stallion may still be capable 

 of copulating, he is usually sterile. The mare which becomes 

 infected does not generally conceive, or, if she does conceive, 

 aborts so early that the conception is not observed. In the 

 Illinois outbreak, it could not be determined that a foal had 

 been born among one hundred diseased mares. Some writ- 

 ers claim that occasionally a diseased mare will produce a 

 healthy foal. 



Apparent recovery may, and does, occur even after ex- 

 treme emaciation, and when paralysis has been so complete 

 that the animal could not rise without assistance. 



The duration of the disease may extend from three months 

 to as many or more years, and apparent or real recovery 

 may take place at any intervening time. 



In animals which have succumbed to the malady or been 

 destroyed in its last stages, there is seen, quite uniformly, 

 an evident degree of anaemia and emaciation. Distributed 

 throughout nearly every tissue in the body, there is found 

 a characteristic yellowish exudate of gelatinoid appearance, 

 especially abundant in the subcutaneous and intermuscular 

 connective tissue, in the mesentery, and in all parts rich in 

 connective tissue. Nearly every organ of the body partakes 

 of the general yellowish tinge. The muscles, especially those 

 of the thigh and croup, are pale and soft. 



The intestines are pale, and, in some cases, show signs of 

 previous inflammation on their peritoneal surface. The 

 mesentery is of a pale saffron color, thickened by a gelatin- 

 ous exudate. The mesenteric lymphatics are enlarged, pale 

 yellow and friable. The spleen is pale, small, shriveled, 

 tough and hard. The liver is soft and filled with dark 

 blood. The kidneys are usually somewhat enlarged, very 

 pale and edematous. 



