726 DISEASES' AND ABNORMALITIES OF THE YOUNG ANIMAL. 



The result of his autopsies, together with the symptoms observed 

 during life, led Bollinger to the conclusion that the development of the 

 pathological process is as follows : inflammation of the umbilical vessels, 

 notably the vein, with its decomposed and softened thrombus, which 

 passes into the vena portae, and forms the point of departure or source 

 of a metastatic pygemia, and from it embolism of the lungs is sometimes 

 directly originated ; or at other times, in consequence of alteration in 

 the blood, which is septic, and of the general character of the inflam- 



killed, in order that the carcase might realise something. The most important organs 

 were sent to Bollinger, and their examination yielded the following results : There was 

 purulent emphalo-fhrombo-phlebitis, loith thrombosis of the portal vein ; fibro-purtdent 

 gonarthritis of the stifle joints and purident peri-arthritis ; ptirident tracheo-bronchitis, 

 embolic infarction of the lungs, commencing endocarditis of the mitred valves, and 

 generalised icterus. The parts surrounding the stifle joints were of a pale-yellow colour, 

 infiltrated with a sero-purulent fluid, and moderately thickened. In the cavity of the 

 joints there was a tolerable quantity of dark-tinted serum, and on the synovial membrane 

 more especially was a mass of yellowish-green and firm fibro-purulent matter, about two 

 centimetres thick, which projected into the synovial cavity. The cartilages of the joints 

 were covered with similar matter, and in some places they were quite rough. The entire 

 capsule of the joint was inflamed, softened, and purulent. The trachea and bronchial 

 tubes contained a quantity of muco-purulent fluid, which, in the latter, formed itself into 

 one mass. The mucous membrane was pale ; the almost bloodless lungs had ecchymosed 

 spots beneath the pleura, and in one place were two wedge-shaped masses the size of a 

 pea, which on being cut open were found to contain pus in the centre. The heart and 

 pericardium were normal, with the exception of the mitral valve, which was of a dark- 

 red colour, thickened, and exhibited hsemorrhagic infiltration in places ; by means of the 

 microscope, a notable cellular opening could be perceived in the connective tissue close 

 to the haemorrhage. The spleen was of normal size, but pale and bloodless ; the liver 

 was enlarged, full of blood, icteric in tint ; in parts were small, subperitoneal haemor- 

 rhagic deposits. The umbilical vein was distended throughout its entire length ; its 

 walls were considerably thickened, and the inner surface was of a dirty-grey colour, 

 rough, uneven, and studded with greyish -white puriform deposits. This alteration in 

 the umbilical vein extended as far as its junction with the posterior vena cava, which, 

 owing to the closure of the ductus venosus, is not in direct communication with the 

 umbilical vein. Where the latter enters the portal vein was a purulent cloaca, beyond 

 which was a large thrombotic puriform mass that obliterated the cavity of the latter 

 vessel as far as its bifurcation. As fatty degeneration of the heart was suspected from 

 its appearance, the tissue of that organ was examined microscopically, but it was found 

 to be normal. The voluntary muscles in the vicinity of the diseased joints, and which 

 appeared very pale to the naked eye, were only clouded with granular matter. The puri- 

 form contents of the umbilical vein consisted of fatty granular detritus, in which it was 

 difficult to detect pus corpuscles ; bacteria could not be found in any number. The liver 

 offered indications of a violent icterus, and exhibited all the alterations of acute paren- 

 chymatous hepatitis, with marked granular degeneration of the hepatic cells. 



In the three autopsies of Foals made by Bollinger at Graditz (Virchow^s Archiv., 

 1873), he found double broncho-pneumonia of the anterior lobes of the lungs, pulmonary 

 abscesses, purulent arthritis, intra-muscular abscesses, caries of the bones, and fatty 

 degeneration of the muscles of animal life, particularly in the neighbourhood of the 

 affected joints ; as well as fatty degeneration of the heart tissue, liver, and kidneys. In 

 the intestinal canal were lesions of catarrhal enteritis, accompanied by hyperplasia of 

 the mesenteric glands. Neither in the animals when alive, nor at their autopsy, were 

 there any of the signs of rachitism mentioned by Koloff. The umbilical cord was unfor- 

 tunately not examined. 



On another occasion, the same excellent veterinary pathologist examined the bodies of 

 two Foals — one three weeks, the other five weeks old, which had succumbed to this 

 malady. In these there was inflammation and thrombosis of the umbilical vessels, con- 

 tinuation of the thrombosis of the umbilical vein (in process of suppuration) into the 

 portal vein, which was also afifected with thrombosis, as well as its hepatic ramifications. 

 In one of these cases there was likewise thrombosis of the pulmonary artery, double 

 pleurisy with pericarditis, purulent arthritis affecting several joints, vast intra-muscular 

 or subcutaneous abscesses, and cutaneous erysipelas. In the other case there were pul- 

 monary abscesses, circumscribed pleurisj^ purulent irido-choroiditis, and, finally, in 

 addition to general anaemia there was great tumefaction of the bronchial and mesenteric 

 glands. 



