394 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 



The animal manifests gieat debility. The head droops and rests 

 on some object of support. One or both ears may droop. The coat 

 is staring and the muzzle dry. The secretion of milk diminishes 

 very rapidly. Within twelve to twenty hours the usual quantity may 

 have become reduced one-half or two-thirds. The back is arched, 

 and the four limbs are brought together under the body. 



As the disease progresses, symptoms with reference to the digestive 

 and respiratory organs become prominent. The mucous membrane 

 of the mouth and the nose, as well as that of the rectum and vagina, 

 becomes reddened, either in patches or diffusely, and assumes a scarlet 

 hue. The discharges, at first firm, become softer, and soon diarrhea 

 sets in. This is said to be one of the most constant sjnnptoms. The 

 rectum may become everted and paralyzed, and the bowels move 

 spontaneously. The discharges become fetid, viscid, and streaked 

 with blood. Coughing is a common symptom, and by some con- 

 sidered characteristic. It is associated with discharges from the nose 

 and vagina and dribbling of saliva from the mouth. The eyes also 

 are affected. There is an increased formation of a viscid secretion 

 which flows down the face. 



Another series of changes prominent in some epizootics and mild or 

 absent in others are the ulcers, or so-called " erosions," in the mouth. 

 These begin as red patches and streaks. The mucous membrane in 

 such localities is converted into a grayish white slough, which, when 

 shed, leaves a small erosion, or ulcer. At the same time similar 

 changes may go on in the skin of the thighs, the udder, or the scrotum, 

 and about the vagina, which lead to small sloughs. 



In severe cases, which are the most common in the susceptible cattle 

 of western Europe, death ensues four to seven days after the first 

 appearance of the disease, and is preceded by great emaciation and 

 debility, fetid, purulent discharges from nose and mouth, and the 

 relaxed rectum and vagina. 



After death, if the animal be opened and the organs carefully 

 examined, the chief changes will be found in the digestive organs. 

 The lining membrane of the mouth and pharynx is covered with 

 mucus, is reddened in spots, and shows superficial yellowish gray, 

 cheesy patches, which represent dead tissue and when removed ex- 

 pose ulcerated depressions. The same reddening in spots and the 

 yellowish gray, cheesy deposits or patches are found in the fourth 

 stomach, the small intestines, and more rarely in the cecum, while 

 the third stomach, or manyplies, is more or less impacted with dry, 

 hard food. Similar changes may be found on the mucous membrane 

 of the nasal cavity, larynx, trachea, the uterus, vagina, and rectum. 

 The lungs may be injected, edematous, or pneumonic. The heart 

 muscle is pale and flabby, and frequently hemorrhages are observed 

 in its internal membrane. The liver may be pale or injected with 

 blood, and at times shows hemorrhages beneath its capsule. The 



