495 



influences of unknuwn <|uality seem to be an important factor in tlie 

 determination of tlie local lesions. At certain seasons of the year, 

 and in certain epizootics, vre find 40 and 50 j^er cent or even a greater 

 I)ercentage of the cases rendered more serious by complication of the 

 intestines ; at other seasons of the j'ear, or in other epizootics, we find 

 the same per cent of cases complicated by inflammation of the lungs, 

 ■while at the same time a small percentage of them are comi)licated 

 by troubles of the other organs; inflammatory changes of the brain, 

 of the laminfB, more rarely commence in epizootic form, but are to be 

 found in a certain small i^ercentage of cases in all epizootics. 



Exciting causes are important factors in comjplicating individual 

 cases of influenza, or in localizing special lesions either during enzo- 

 otics or ej)izootics. These exciting or determining causes act much 

 as they would in si)oradic inflammatory diseases, but in this case we 

 find the animal much more suscei^tible and predisposed to be acted 

 upon than ordinary healthy animals. AVith a temperature already 

 elevated, with the heart's action driving the blood in increased quantity 

 into the distended blood-vessels, whicli become dilated and lose their 

 contractility, with a congestion of all of the vascular organs already 

 established, it takes but little additional irritation to carry the con- 

 gestion one step further and x)roduce inflammation. 



Complication of the intestines. — When any cause acts as an irritant 

 to the intestinal tract during the course of this siDecific fever it may 

 produce inflammation of the organs belonging to it. This cause may be 

 constipation, which can only find relief in a congestion which offers to 

 increase the function of the glands and relieve the inertia caused by 

 a temporary cessation of activity; or irritant medicines, especially any 

 increased use of antimony, turpentine, or the more active remedies; 

 the taking of indigestible food, or of food in too great quantities, or 

 food altered in any way by fungus or other injurious alterations; the 

 swallowing of too cold water; or any other irritant may cause conges- 

 tion. This complication is ushered in by colics. The animal paws 

 with the fore feet and evinces a great sensibility of the belly; it looks 

 with the head from side to side, and may lie down and get up, not with 

 \aolenee, but.with care for itself, perfectly protecting the surface of 

 the belly from any violence. At first we find a decided constipation; 

 the droppings if passed are small and hard, coated Avith a A-iscous var- 

 nish or even consisting of false membranes. In from 30 to 40 hours 

 the constipation is followed by diarrhea. The alimentary discharge 

 becomes mixed with sero-mucous exudation, Avhich is followed by a 

 certain amount of suppurative matter. The animal becomes rapidly 

 exhausted and unstable, staggers on movement, losing the little appe- 

 tite which may have remained, and has exacerbations of fever. The 

 I)ulse becomes softer and weaker, the respiration becomes slowly more 

 rapid, the temperature is about 1° to U° F. higher. If a fatal result 

 is not produced by the extensive diarrhea the discharge becomes 



