336 ENTEEITIS. 



if tlie animal be ridden or driven during the incubation of the 

 disease, his movements will have been heavy and slow. The 

 state now described may be regarded as the first or incubating 

 stage of the disease. 



The second stage of the disease is the one which is usually 

 regarded as the first. The character of the malady now 

 becomes manifest, and its Avarnings are neither to be longer 

 overlooked nor disregarded. It generally sets in by the animal 

 being attacked with a shivering fit, accompanied with restless- 

 ness and a hurried state of the breathing. The patient paws 

 the ground, crouches, looks round impatiently at his sides, lies 

 down, and rolls over. The pulse generally beats from 70 to 80, 

 and is depressed ; the skin becomes hot and suffused with per- 

 spiration ; the extremities are cold, but soon acquire a fine, 

 clear, glossy appearance ; the abdomen presents a tightened or 

 contracted appearance ; the bowels are constipated, and the 

 urinary secretion suppressed ; the nostrils are expanded, and 

 angry-looking within; the eyes present either an inanimate 

 look, or a bright and glistening but anxious aspect. Sometimes 

 the skin is covered with sour- smelling perspiration ; the belly 

 is hot, and tender upon pressure. The animal seldom or ever, 

 during this stage of the disease, exhibits a complete cessation 

 of pain, but appears to obtain the most relief when laid upon 

 his back, with the hind and fore limbs completely flexed. In 

 this condition the patient may remain for many hours, and 

 during that time the disease may vary but little in intensity ; 

 or it may continue, and gradually pass into the third stage, 

 which speedily terminates in the death of the animal. 



The tliird stage is marked by the excessive general weakness 

 of the patient ; the pulse eitlier ceases to beat, or it becomes 

 thready, and all but imperceptible : the skin is covered with a 

 cold perspiration; the pain may either cease entirely, or continue 



