Ulcerative Stomatitis {Diphtheria) in Calves. 25 



The identity of the germ has not been fully demonstrated. 

 Damniann found a micrococcus, but testimony from the inocula- 

 tion of its pure cultures is wanting, and the buccal mucosa of the 

 sucking calf is full of varied germs some of which are irritating 

 and pathogenic to an injured mucosa. 



LofiEler found in the epithelial concretions (false membranes) 

 of the moutti and intestines, a bacillus of half the thickness of 

 the bacillus of malignant oedema, five times as long as broad and 

 usually connected with its fellows to form filaments. He failed to 

 obtain cultures of this in nutrient gelatine, but grew it success- 

 fully in blood serum from a calf. Transferred to fresh serum the 

 culture failed. The pure culture does not seem to have been tried 

 on the calf. 



According to Danimann the le.sions occur indiscriminately in 

 the mouth, the nose, the larynx, trachea, lungs, the intestinal 

 canal and the interdigital space. 



It has been suggested that the mouth of the calf rendered sus- 

 ceptible by the congestion caused by suction, is infected by lick- 

 ing the previously infected umbilicus. 



Symptoms. There are the usual .symptoms of indisposition to 

 suck, salivation, redne.ss of the buccal mucosa, and general in- 

 disposition. In two or three days the mucosa shows raised,, 

 pulpy, white or grayish patches about a line in diameter. These 

 gradually soften and break down and in four or five days leave 

 dark red angry sores one-sixth to one-third inch in diameter dotted 

 with grayish points and surrounded by a congested areola. These 

 exhale an offensive odor and tend to extend in superficial area 

 and in depth, invading indiscriminately the various subiacent 

 tissues. The lips may be perforated, the mu.scles, cartilages, 

 periosteum, and periodoijtal membrane invaded, the teeth may be 

 shed, and the alveoli filled with the offensive debris of ulceration. 

 Swelling of the throat may follow from implication of the 

 pharynx and its lymph glands, symptoms of laryngiti-s, bronchi- 

 tis, and pneumonia may succeed, also infective gastritis and en- 

 teritis. These various parts may be infected by the direct trans- 

 ference of the infecting saliva, but the germ is also held to be 

 transmitted through the blood to implicate distant organs. 



Appetite is gradually lost, a blackish, foetid diarrhoea, sets in 

 and the calf is sunk in a profound pro.stration and debility due 



