24 MASTITIS OF THE COW 



general blood-infection or bactersemia are the same as in 

 the septic intoxication. 



Intoxication. — From the diseased quarter of the 

 udder a stream called the exudative stream passes into 

 the milk, and another stream called the resorption stream 

 passes into the blood. 



This resorption stream carries a quantity of toxin 

 produced by the infectious organisms, which induces the 

 more or less distinct appearance of intoxication, which we 

 call septic intoxication because it is caused by infectious 

 material or the toxins of , pathogenic bacteria. 



Septic intoxication presents a collection of general or 

 nervous symptoms which we call fever symptoms [complex 

 symptom of fever] . They are : 



1. The heart shows an increase in the frequency but 

 a decrease in the force of the beat. 



2. Respiration shows an increase in frequency but a 

 decrease in volume (dyspnoea) . 



3. The skin is warm, due to hypergemia following vaso- 

 dilation. 



4. The voluntary muscle shows diminution of power 

 [trembling, decubitus]. 



5. The smooth muscle likewise shows a diminution of 

 power. Peristalsis is especially weakened or ceases en- 

 tirely, inducing indigestion or impaction. [It may alter- 

 nate with increased activity and diarrhoea.] 



6. The secretion of sweat is more or less increased. 



7. The body temperature is increased. [It may be 

 normal or decreased.] 



8. Consciousness is diminished. 



Fever begins however with a stage showing the oppo- 

 site symptoms, which resemble the reflexes produced 

 through stimulation due to irritation by cold. The clonic- 

 tonic spasms of the voluntary muscles called shivering, 

 are very prominent, likewise the coldness of the skin due 



