284 RINDERPEST 



individuals in a variety of vt-ays. both direct and indirect. It 

 is said to be present in the various excreta of the diseased 

 animal, such as the discharges from the nose, the saliva, the 

 urine and the feces. It retains its vitality outside of the body 

 in a moist state for months, even a year or more, according to 

 some authorities. Hence feces and the fodder and bedding 

 soiled by the discharges may convey the disease. When dried, 

 however, its vitality is .said to be lost in a iew days. Persons 

 may carry the virus on their shoes, clothing and farm imple- 

 ments. Even small animals, such as cats and rats, which fre- 

 quent barns and stables have been looked upon as carriers of 

 the infection. 



It is also claimed that animals after having passed through 

 one attack of the disease are able to resist successfully future 

 attacks. Inoculation with the virus is said to produce im- 

 munity, but the process of inoculation itself is followed by 

 death in many cases. The disease is reported to have devel- 

 oped after feeding hay a year after it has lain in an infected 

 stable. It is destroyed at a temperature of 131° F. but in 

 animal tissues it re.sists putrefaction. 



§ 215. Symptoms. The symptoms of rinderpest are 

 those of a severe, acute, infective disease. The period of in- 

 cubation is stated to be from six to nine days. At first the tem- 

 perature rises to 105 to 106° F. and remains near that point with 

 but slight variations until other symptoms develop. The pulse 

 is small, beating from 60 to 120 per minute. There is great 

 debility, decrease in the yield of milk and loss of appetite : 

 rumination becomes disturbed and the animal may have slight 

 attacks of shivering. 



After these preliminary symptoms there are well marked 

 rigors, respiration becomes accelerated and the visible mucous 

 membranes assume a scarlet color. There is entire loss of 

 appetite, arrest of the function of rumination, thirst, consti- 

 pation with the feces dry and covered with mucus. Some- 

 times there is slight colic. Later there is a discharge which 

 is first serous and subsequently sero-raucous from the eyes, 

 nose and vagina. The saliva flows from the mouth. The 

 feces gradually become thinner until violent diarrhoea accom- 



