66 TAKOSIS 



mated. The tubules may contain an albuminous deposit. As 

 the specific micrococcus has not been found in the kidneys, 

 Mohler and Washburn considered the lesions in this organ to 

 be of toxic origin. 



The heart shows parenchymatous degeneration of isolated 

 fibers or groups of fibers. The spleen shows an increase in 

 fibrous tissue. Sections of the intestines, especially of the 

 duodenum, show a productive inflammation with exudation. 

 There is often desquamation of the mucosa. 



The blood count in experimental cases shows an increase 

 in the number of red corpuscles. Mohler and Washburn report 

 the examination of the blood in two such cases and one of nat- 

 ural infection as follows : 



No. I. Red corpuscles 11,190,000, white corpuscles 20,560 

 per cubic millimeter. 



No. 2. Red corpuscles 12, 160,000, white corpuscles 20,000 

 per cubic millimeter. 



No. 3. (Natural infection) red corpuscles 10,208,000, 

 white corpuscles 14,860 per cubic millimeter. 



They give the normal red corpuscles as 9,976,000, white 

 corpuscles 9,200 per cubic millimeter. 



The increase in the white cells they state is due to an in- 

 creased number of polymorphonuclear leucocytes and eosin- 

 ophiles. They found the specific gravity of the blood to be 

 1.031 and hemoglobin 56. 



§ 61. Differential Diagnosis. Takosis is to be differen- 

 tiated from the morbid condition resulting from various animal 

 parasites, anemia caused by some previously existing disease 

 such as chronic pneumonia, or poor food and starvation ; 

 watery cachexia and hydremia, and contagious pneumonia. 



The positive diagnosis is made from the infectious nature 

 of takosis, and by finding the specific organism, M. caprinus 

 in the tissues. The symptoms caused by parasites frequently 

 resemble quite closely those of takosis. In takosis symptoms 

 of pneumonia will frequently be noted, especially the labored 

 breathing or rapid respiration. The luster of the fleece is less 



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