GASTROIXrESTIXA L CA T. i lUill, 731 



Sjimptoms. 



The early symptoms vary somewhat, according to the exciting causes. 

 SoniL'times they are suddenly manifested, and at other times they are 

 so gradually developed that they do not attract attention for a day or 

 longer. With sucking animals the principal symptom, diarrhcea, is 

 usually preceded by slight anorexia, dulness, and weakness ; but with 

 animals which are weaned, and especially if the attack is due to 

 drinking very cold water or an external chill, the first signs are fever 

 and general disturl)ance — the temperature of the body being irregularly 

 distributed, limbs cold and muHle dry, and much nervous depression — 

 sensory and motor. Diarrhoea soon sets in, the dejections quickly 

 becoming watery, and frequently energetically expelled ; they are not 

 long before they are fcetid and mucous, yellow or greenish-gray in tint, 

 spumous and foul-smelling, and containing fibrinous flakes or clots ; at 

 a later period they are blood-streaked or sanguinolent, and ejected at 

 very short intervals, soiling the hind legs and tail, and by their acridity 

 causing the hair around the anus, perinieum, and thighs, to be shed. 



Usually there is tenesmus and signs of colic, the animal standing with 

 its back arched and its feet drawn together. The skin is dry and there 

 is horripilation ; the debility becomes extreme, and the exhalations most 

 offensive. Tympanitis is often present, the gases accumulating in the 

 rumen and intestines of the Calf producing great distension — though 

 this may be present before, during, and after the diarrhoea stage, being 

 due to abnormal fermentation. 



In some cases death occurs within a few days or as many weeks, and 

 is generally the result of exhaustion, amemia or hydrajmia; though 

 sometimes the disease is complicated by catarrhal pneumonia— a con- 

 sequence, probably, of pulmonary atelectasis, which is so frequent in 

 weakly new-born creatures. 



Etiology. 



With animals at the teat, it is recognised that the health or alimenta- 

 tion of the mother has a powerful influence in the production of this 

 diarrhea. Constitutional diseases, antrmia, debility and disturbance in 

 the digestive apparatus or in nutrition, which are usually accomjianied 

 by alterations in the milk, have an unfavourable effect on young animals; 

 infectious maladies — sucli as aphthous fever, generalised tuberculosis, 

 etc., are very inimical to the progeny ; while simple congestion of the 

 udder and mammitis may be the cause of gastro-intestinal catarrh in 

 the Calf. 



The food consumed by the parent has likewise an influence on the 

 quantity and fjuality of the milk which the progeny receives. When it 

 is too rich or too poor in nitrogenous constituents, or of inferior or bad 

 quality, it may produce diarrhcea in the young ; or excessive fatigue 

 will so alter it as to render it no less objectionable ; while certain 

 medicaments given to the mother will irritate the intestinal mucous 

 membrane of the offspring. 



Irregular lactation, cold, or cold and wet, ovcrgorging with rich milk, 

 and constipation from any cause — as when the meconium is retained in 

 the intestines from the first milk or colostrum not being allowed — all 

 these may induce gastro-intestinal catarrh. W'ith weaned animals this 

 may also be due to inopportune weaning ; improper food, which gives 

 rise to acetic, butyric, or lactic fermentation, and so irritates the stomach 

 and intestines ; cold and damp weather ; as well as the ingestion of 



