436 RINDERPEST 



purple or reddish-brown with a tinge of slate- gray. The 

 epithelium exfoliates. On the mucous membrane may be 

 found small, brownish-yellow, caseous deposits, in the form of 

 plates, which become detached in shreds, leaving indented, 

 highly reddened areas which are studded with petechiae. The 

 glands (peptic and mucous) of the stomach are swollen and 

 .show considerable cellular hypertrophy. Like changes are 

 present in the small intestine, where there is a good deal of 

 swelling and congestion of the mucous membrane with isolated 

 scab-like caseous deposits and erosions. In very severe cases 

 these deposits form tube-like casts of the intestinal canal. At 

 the same time there may be considerable infiltration of the soli- 

 tary glands and of Peyer's patches, which become enlarged. 

 Jobling states that he never saw them ulcerated. 



In the large intestine the inflammatory changes are much 

 less pronounced. They are greatest in the cecum. 



The nasal mucous membrane is of a dark red color and 

 covered with grayish-yellow, soft scabs. After they are re- 

 moved, the true tissue of the mucous membrane lies bare. 

 Similar changes are found in the larynx and trachea, where 

 the deposited masses are frequently purulent and of a creamy 

 consistence. The lungs are sometimes hyperemic, sometimes 

 edematous, hepatised or emphysematous. Pneumothorax and 

 subcutaneous emphysema may be present. 



The duration of the disease is usually from 2 to lo days, 

 the average period is about 6 days. The prognosis is not 

 favorable. The mortality ranges from 60 to 90 per cent. 



§ 348. Differential diagnosis. It is very difficult to 

 diagnose rinderpest from the first cases that occur, especially if 

 there is no history of infection. The diagnosis is based upon 

 the symptoms, morbid anatomy, progress of the epizootic and 

 the history. The most characteristic diagnostic symptoms are 

 the rise in temperature (which often occurs some days before 

 other symptoms), formation of red spots and a yellow coating 

 on the visible mucous membranes and later the development 

 of erosion ulcers. A mucous discharge from the mouth, nares, 

 eyes and vagina with symptoms of severe intestinal disturb- 



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