503 



appetite remains normal. The animal is attentive to all that is going 

 on, and, except for the swelling, apparently in XDerfect health. 



In from two to four days the tissues can no longer resist the pressure 

 of the exuded fluid. Over the surface of the skin which covers the 

 dropsy we find a slight serous sweating, which loosens the epiderjnis 

 and dries so as to simulate the eruption of some cutaneous disease. 

 If this is excessive we may see irritated spots which are suppurating. 

 In the nasal fossae the hemorrhagic spots have acted as irritants, and, 

 inviting an increased amount of blood to the Schneiderian membrane, 

 produce a cor3^za or even a catarrh. We maj' now find some enlarge- 

 ment and peripheral oedema of the lymi3hatic glands which are fed 

 from the affected part. The thermometer indicates a slight rise in 

 the body temxjerature, while the pulse and respiration are somewhat 

 accelerated. The appetite usually remains good. In the course of a 

 few daj^s the temperature may have reached 102°, 103°, or 104° F. 



Fever is established, not an essential or specific fever in any way, 

 but a simple secondary fever produced by the dead material from the 

 surface or superficial suppuration, and by the oxidization and absorp- 

 tion of the colloid mass contained in the tissues — just such a fever 

 as would be produced by an excoriation of a considerable surface of 

 the skin in an animal otherwise sound, or by the absorption of the 

 oedema resulting from a. blow. 



Suppuration may become excessive from the great distension and 

 loss of vitality of the skin. Here the lesion is visible and the consti- 

 tutional phenomena are marked. 



Lympliangitis may be established from the large amount of irritat- 

 ing material which the ducts and glands of the lymjjhatie system are 

 forced to carry from the affected part. 



Gangrene may be developed in spots from the size of a pea to tliat 

 of a hen's egg,. The great distension of the subcutaneous layer of con- 

 nective tissue or the excessive hemorrhage in the submucous laj^er 

 may completely destroy the vitality of the iDart, and brown and then 

 black masses of slough appear, to be eliminated and leave a deep 

 rosy ulcer in their place. This is more Common in the nose and under 

 the tongue. 



Excessive swelling of ihe head. — The swelling of the head may 

 increase and extend outside to the throat or to the nostrils until the 

 latter are closed, or to the larynx, which is so pressed upon as to 

 render respiration difficult or impossible. The same complication 

 renders mastication and deglutition equall}' difficult. 



Metastasis. — This is a frequently' dreaded complication. If the 

 trouble lias originallj^ been in the legs and belly it may suddenly 

 commence to api)ear in the head, and disappear from the i^art first 

 affected, or the oj^posite more favorable change sometimes occurs, 

 the dangerous swelling of the head disappearing to attack the belly 

 or legs. 



