434 RINDERPEST 



appetite, arrest of the function of rumination, thirst, consti- 

 pation with the feces dry and covered with mucus. Some- 

 times there is slight colic. L,ater there is a discharge which 

 is first serous and subsequently sero-mucous from the eyes, 

 nose and vagina. The saliva flows from the mouth. The 

 feces gradually become thinner until violent diarrhea accom- 

 panied by colic sets in. The evacuations become fetid, viscid 

 and sometimes mixed with blood. The animal becomes rapidly 

 emaciated, staggers when walking, is very sensitive to pressure 

 on the loins and lies down a great deal. In exceptional cases 

 the patient manifests nervous symptoms. Others exhibit vio- 

 lent dyspnea and symptoms of severe inflammation of the lungs. 



As the disease advances characteristic changes are to be 

 seen in the mucous membranes. Red patches which may be 

 flat or in the form of wheals and which quickly become cov- 

 ered with a grayish white, loose crust appear on the mucous 

 membrane of the lips, tongue, cheeks, gums, nostrils and 

 vagina. The uppermost epithelial layer consequently becomes 

 opaque and yellowish gray spots develop on it. l,ess frequently 

 crusts are formed from the tumors b^' their caseous disintegra'* 

 tion. The crusts on being shed leave dark red hollow places, 

 the so-called erosion ulcers, which readily bleed. In slight 

 cases of the disease there may be no crusts or erosions. It is 

 stated that sometimes an eruption in the form of very minute 

 pimples and pustules occurs on the abdomen, inner surface of 

 the thighs, perineum and udder. In these cases it may be con- 

 fused with that of variola. Pregnant animals frequently abort. 



In sheep and goats the disease is milder, and its infec- 

 tiousness is said to be less than in cattle, although the symp- 

 toms are essentially the same. Sheep are reported to suffer 

 frequently from pneumonic affections when attacked by 

 rinderpest. 



§ 347. Morbid anatomy. Authors differ somewhat on 

 the lesions characteristic of this disease. Walley has pointed 

 out the fact that none of the morbid changes are constant and 

 consequently they vary with the stages of the epizootic, the 



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