404 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 



tubercle bacilli. Later on, larger nodules can be felt within the udder, 

 which undergo the various changes to which tubercles are subject. The 

 udder may grow very hard to the touch and become very large, weigh- 

 ing in some cases up to 40 pounds. The milk, at first normal, becomes 

 thin and watery after a month or so, and is mixed with flakes and tuber- 

 cle bacilli. 



As regards the frequency of the tubercular processes in the different 

 organs, the following carefully compiled statistics of the disease in 

 Bavaria and Baden may serve as a guide: 



Bavaria : Ter cent. 



Tuberculosis of lungs and serous membranes 41 



Tuberculosis of lungs alone 33 



Tuberculosis of serous membranes alone (pearly disease) 17 



Tuberculosis of other organs 8 



Baden : 



Tuberculosis of lungs alone 21 



Tuberculosis of serous membranes alone .- 28 



Both combined 39 



Generalized tuberculosis 9 



Tuberculosis of the sexual organs alone 3 



Symptoms. The beginning of the disease usually passes unnoticed, 

 inasmuch as it is very slow and insidious and rarely accompanied by 

 fever. When the lungs are involved a dull, short cough is noticed, 

 which may later on become prolonged, convulsive, and very trouble- 

 some to the animal. The cough is more frequent in the morning after 

 movement and drinking. The breathing varies. Only when much of 

 the lung tissue is diseased, it is labored and accompanied by active 

 movements of the chest and nostrils. Discharge from the nose is rare 

 or absent. At times, however, when the tubercles have broken down 

 and cavities containing cheesy masses have formed in the lung tissue, 

 or when the air- tubes have become filled with cheesy and mucous masses, 

 coughing will dislodge these and cause their discharge. In advanced 

 stages the breath may have a disagreeable odor. Pressure on the chest 

 wall may give rise to pain. 



The general effect on the body is at first slight. In fact, animals may 

 remain in good flesh for a considerable time. Invariably, as the dis- 

 ease progresses, loss of flesh and appetite and paleness of the mucous 

 membranes become manifest. These are accompanied by a gradual 

 diminution of the milk secretion. The debilitated condition of the 

 animal is also manifested by a staring coat and a tough, dry, harsh 

 skin (hide-bound). Digestive disturbances are indicated by tympa- 

 nitis, or distension of the rumen by gas, colic, and diarrhea, alternating 

 with constipation. The animal generally dies from exhaustion after a 

 period of sickness which may last months and years. 



Tuberculosis in the abdominal organs is often signalized by abortion 

 and by abnormal sexual manifestations. When the brain is involved 

 the disease may cause convulsions, unconsciousness, paralysis, as well 

 as peculiar movements in a circle, oblique position of the head, etc. 



