152 PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICE OF MILK HYGIENE 



colorless or yellow, red or chocolate color, thin at first and 

 gradually becoming thicker. In chronic metritis the discharge 

 is white, sticky, and odorless, or muco-purulent, purulent, or 

 chocolate-colored and foul-smelling. A slight purulent dis- 

 charge occurs in tuberculosis of the uterus. When the discharge 

 is slight it may be observed only when the cow lies down or its 

 presence may be indicated only by a soiled condition of the tail. 

 The vulva is swollen in metritis and in puerperal septicaemia. 

 In tuberculosis of the uterus the vulva is flabby and the broad 

 ligaments are relaxed and sunken. Relaxation of the broad 

 ligaments also occurs in ovarian disease and frequently in 

 aged cows. 



If defecation does not occur during the examination the 

 character of the bowel discharges may be determined by ex- 

 amining the manure in the gutter or drop and by observing the 

 condition of the tail and buttocks. Soft bowel discharges, if 

 general, may indicate a sudden change in feed, overfeeding, or 

 the feeding of spoiled feed, as well as disease. Dry, hard faeces, 

 often of a darker color than normal, are seen in constipation 

 and in severe febrile disease ; soft or semi-fluid faeces in intestinal 

 catarrh, advanced tuberculosis of the mesenteric lymph glands, 

 pseudo-tuberculosis or Johne's disease and enteritis ; red, choco- 

 late-colored or black faeces in hemorrhagic enteritis and dysen- 

 tery. Blood is present in streaks or clots in hemorrhage of the 

 rectum and bloody discharges occur in anthrax. Coarse par- 

 ticles of food in the faeces indicate disturbance of rumination in 

 consequence of impaction, torpidity, or paralysis of the rumen. 



4. Respiration. The rate, rhythm, intensity, and 

 character of the respiratory movements can be deter- 

 mined by observing the movement of the flanks. 



Rapid breathing is often seen in advanced pulmonary tuber- 

 culosis, but it is not a constant symptom. The rate of respira- 

 tion is increased in other diseases of the respiratory tract, in 

 fever and in painful conditions. An increase in the respiratory 

 rate occurs also immediately after eating, after exercise, and in 

 hot weather. Increase in the intensity or depth of the respira- 



