NECHOTIC STOMATITIS. 465 



The stage of incubation is from tliree to five days. The first symp- 

 toms noted are a disinclination to talie nourishment, some drooling 

 from the mouth, and an examination of the mouth will show on some 

 portion of its mucous membrane a circumscribed area of infiltration 

 and redness, possibly an erosion. The latter gradually extends in 

 size and depth, forming a sharply circumscribed area of necrotic 

 inflammation. It may measure anywhere from the size of a 5-cent 

 piece to that of a silver dollar or even larger. It has the appearance 

 of a corroded svirf ace, under which the mucous membrane or muscular 

 tissue seems transformed into a dry, friable, or firm cheesy mass. It 

 is grayish yellow in color and is bordered by a zone of thickened 

 tissue slightly reddened and somewhat granulated. The necrotic 

 tissue is very adherent and can be only partially peeled off. It is 

 homogeneous, cheesy, and may extend two fingers' depth into the 

 tissues beneath. The general sjmiptoms are languor, weakness, and 

 slight fever. In spite of plenty of good feed the calf is seen to be 

 failing. It stops sucking, or, if older, altogether refuses to eat. The 

 temperature at this time may be from 104° to 107° F. The slobber 

 becomes profuse, swallowing very difficult, opening of the mouth 

 quite painful, and a most offensive odor is exhaled. The tongue is 

 swollen and its motion greatly impaired. Sometimes the mouth is 

 kept open, permitting the tumefied tongue to protrude. One or more 

 of the above symptoms direct the attention to the mouth as the seat 

 of disease; or, having noticed the debility and disinclination to eat, 

 an examination of the animal may show a lump under the neck or 

 swelling of the throat or head. The following extract from a letter 

 is characteristic: 



I noticed mj- calves beginning to fail about tlie first week in December, but 

 could not account for it, as they were setting plently of grain and hay. My 

 attention v.-as first attracted by a s\velling un<ler tlie necli of one of tlie calves. 

 I cast the animal and found that it was feed that had collected and the animal 

 couldn't swallow it. I nnnoved it, and in so doing noticed a large ulcer on the 

 tongue and a very offensive odor. This was the first knowledge I had of 

 anything being wrong with the calves' mouths. They may have been sick for 

 some time before this. 



Out of a herd of 100 belonging to this man, 70 were affected, and 

 the letter emphasizes the insidious character of the onset. 



The o-eneral affection at this time manifests itself by dejectedness, 

 extreme weakness, and emaciation, constant lying down, with stiffness 

 and marked difficulty in standing. 



The disease frequently extends to the nasal cavities, producing a 

 thin, yellowish, or greenish-yellow, sticky discharge which adheres 

 closely to the borders of the nostrils. Their edges also show caseous 

 patches similar to those in the mouth. Sometimes the nasal passage 

 is obstructed by great masses of the necrosed exudate, thus causing 

 extreme difficulty in breathing. When the caseous process involves 

 .33071°— 16 .30 



