56 DISEASES OP CATTLE. 



to be involved to a greater or less extent. The writer agrees with the 

 general opinion on this point, as in those cases in which he has seen 

 the spleen show traces of disease, and in which the disease was of a 

 primary and not of a secondary character, the symptoms have been so 

 obscure as to render it impossible to draw any certain conclusion as to 

 their significance. Cruzel, a French writer on the diseases of cattle, 

 stated, however, that he had frequently met with cases of inflammation 

 of the spleen in cattle, and that he had no difficulty in recognizing 

 them. We give here the substance of CruzeFs account of inflammation 

 of the spleen, though we think that to judge from his description of the 

 post-mortem appearances it might more properly be termed congestion 

 of the spleen and liver than inflammation of the spleen. Splenitismay 

 occur as an acute affection, as very acute or intense, or as a chronic 

 form of disorder. 



Causes. Oxen of a sanguine temperament which are worked hard, 

 and which, owing to the nature of their work, are frequently interrupted 

 while ruminating, are from these conditions exposed to sudden attacks 

 of congestion of the spleen. Cold and wet, the long-continued use of 

 very nutritive forage, and severe exertion, by increasing the circulation 

 and bringing on disorder of the digestive functions, may ultimately 

 give rise to this malady. The custom of working oxen immediately 

 after they have been fed, their stomachs filled with food, and there- 

 fore incapable of severe exertion, is regarded as a frequent cause of 

 this malady. 



Symptoms of a general character may be observed, such as dryness 

 of the muzzle, loss of appetite, absence of rumination, gait slow and 

 stiff, 'and sensibility when pressure is applied on the loins. But the 

 symptoms which are specially characteristic of splenitis areas follows: 

 Shivering, tension of the left flank, and difficult breathing; the ox walks 

 with difficulty, as if the bending of the left fore and hind legs caused 

 pain. Fullness of the left flank, but differing from the fullness of tym- 

 panitis or hoven, as it is produced by displacement of the spleen in a 

 backward direction, so that when the flank is percussed or lightly struck 

 with the tips of the fingers a dull sound is produced like that occa- 

 sioned by the resistance offered by a soft body. The congested condi- 

 tion of the spleen brings about its displacement. The following case 

 illustrates how the disease arises: An 8-year-old ox had been fed 

 heavily on dry lucern, and was immediately afterwards put to work 

 drawing gravel; he continued working for two hours without showing 

 sickness, but did not ruminate. All at once, however, his flank swelled 

 up and he showed considerable pain when pressed strongly on the left 

 flank. This case is referred to in order to show the practical importance 

 of the symptom last described. 



Congestion of the spleen occurs suddenly as the consequence of inter- 

 rupted rumination and hard work. Its duration is short if treatment 

 is applied without delay, but longer if the action of the cause is inter- 

 . mittent. In the first case there is a rapid recovery owing to the speedy 



