Pseudomembranous Pharyngitis in Cattle. 63 



yellowish exudate containing the microbe. Datnmann claimed to 

 have successfully inoculated the sheep as well. 



Causes : Microbe. L,6ffler found in the deeper layers of the 

 exudate a long delicate bacillus, five or six times as long as 

 broad, and about half the thickness of the bacillus of malignant 

 •oedema. Several bacilli were usually joined so as to form long 

 filaments. These failed to grow in nutrient gelatine, or sheep 

 blood-serum, but grew readily in the blood-serum of the calf. 



Beside the specific microbe Cadeac enumerates as predisposing 

 •causes : sudden chills, rapid changes of temperature suppression 

 *>f perspiration, inhalation of irritant , gases, swallowing of irri- 

 tant liquids, and traumatic injuries. 



Symptoms. The nasal mucosa is violently congested, reddened, 

 thickened, and covered at intervals by false membranes which 

 block the normally narrow passages and produce snuffling, 

 wheezing, and difficult breathing. The throat is swollen, and 

 tender, the slightest touch producing a painful gurgling cough 

 which leads to the discharge of muco-purulent matter, shreds of 

 false membrane and even blood. These membranes may be seen 

 on the nose or mouth. There is high fever, rapid, small pulse, 

 cyanosed mucous membranes, pinched countenance, and usually 

 •open mouth, pendant tongue and drivelling saliva. There may 

 be either constipation or diarrhoea. 



The course of the malady is rapid, death sometimes super- 

 vening in 24 to 48 hours. Recovery and convalescence may be 

 prompt, or the disease may last for weeks. 



Lesions. The congestion is intense and may invade the mouth, 

 nose, pharynx, larynx and bronchia, with at intervals the patches 

 of yellowish white false membranes. These may be soft and 

 ■diffluent when recent, and tough and resistant when of longer 

 .standing. The deeper layers are often blood-stained. Preitsch 

 has seen them extend to the gullet, paunch and manifolds, and 

 attended with considerable ulceration of the subjacent mucous 

 membrane. 



Treatment. This does not differ materially from that recom- 

 mended for the horse. Among the additional antiseptics em- 

 ployed have been, iodoform, oil of turpentine, sulphide of cal- 

 cium, silver nitrate and coal tar. To loosen and detach the false 

 ■membranes ipecacuan and sulphates of soda and magnesia have 



