CATTLE PLAGUE— RINDERPEST 365 



noted in the large intestines are similar though usually less 

 marked. The intestinal contents are soft and of a reddish- 

 brown color. The spleen is rarely enlarged; it is usually 

 anemic and smaller than normal. The liver is very light- 

 colored, anemic and very friable. The gall-bladder is greatly 

 distended with a light green, watery or dark-colored bile. 

 The respiratory tract shows catarrhal rhinitis with edema of 

 the submucosa; ulcerous erosions and croupous pseudomem- 

 branes are common. The lungs are edematous, sometimes 

 contain catarrhal foci, and frequently interstitial emphysema. 

 The blood is dark and coagulates feebly. In some outbreaks 

 a peculiar nodular and pustular eruption is found on the skin. 



Symptoms. — The period of incubation is three to nine days. 

 The first symptom is that of fever, the temperature ranging 

 from 104.9° to 107° F., falling somewhat in the next few days 

 and becoming subnormal shortly before death. The affected 

 cattle are very languid, the whole musculature relaxed, the 

 head held down, ears pendent, back arched, and a tendency 

 to knuckle in the hind fetlocks noticeable. The hair coat is 

 roughened and involuntary twitching of the muscles of the 

 head, shoulders, and flanks is frequent. In some patients 

 there is a pronounced chill lasting several minutes. A com- 

 mon early symptom is a frequent, painful cough which disap- 

 pears as the severe gastro-enteritis develops. The patients 

 are usually dyspneic. From the nose flows a mucopurulent 

 (rarely bloody) discharge mixed with saliva, which excoriates 

 the skin of the nostrils. 



The conjunctiva is either anemic or, on the contrary, it may 

 be congested, the lids closed and swollen, tears flowing down 

 the cheeks. Later there develops a purulent discharge which 

 dries to form crusts about the eyelids. Keratitis may be 

 present. In the mouth the gums are swollen and dark blue 

 or dirty red in color. On the inner surface of the lips irregu- 

 lar, shallow erosions are noted. Commonly the mucous mem- 

 brane of the mandible and of the dental pad becomes covered 

 with yellow granules as if sprinkled with corn meal. These 

 areas later become confluent and slough, leaving behind 

 readily bleeding ulcers. In swine outbreaks the mouth 

 lesions are little developed. 



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