62 HEMORRHAGIC SEPTICEMIA IN CATTLE 
Symptoms. The animals observed at the onset of the disease by 
Wilson and Brimhall appeared to be dumpish and out of sorts. There 
is sudden stopping of the milk secretion in milch cows. As a rule the 
affected animals refuse food. Of the few that make an attempt to 
eat, those with affected throats are unable to swallow except with 
much difficulty. These cases also breathe very heavily. The ani- 
mals show marked disinclination to move and when incited to do so, 
exhibit stiffness, and in some instances actual lameness. . Animals 
have been observed to drop to the ground and die in a short time, 
apparently without pain. Other animals live for several hours in 
great pain as indicated by groans and spasms of the muscles. The 
paroxvsms of pain are apparently intermittent. There is extremely 
rapid loss of flesh in the animals that are sick for any length of time. 
Reynolds observed the symptoms in a few cases. He describes 
three stages. First (24-36 hours), general dullness and checking of 
milk secretion. Second, diarrheal discharge dark in color, and of 
disagreeable odor. The breath was noticed to be offensive. In some 
cases nervous symptoms developed. The temperature remained 
about normal during this period. Third, in this stage the eyes are 
wild, there are grinding of the jaws and convulsions of the face and neck 
muscles followed by a period of intense restlessness and activity. 
He also records the observation that the cases that appeared to be 
the worst in the beginning lived longer than those that appeared to 
be mild. 
A temperature of 104° to 106° F. may be followed by a rapid 
decline. There are accelerated pulse, dullness and rough coat. 
Painful edematous swellings about the legs, shoulders and under the 
throat are noted as early symptoms. The intestinal discharges are 
often streaked with blood. In other cases the feces are black, tarry 
or of a bloody, serous nature. Bloody urine and a bloody serous dis- 
charge from the nose have been reported. The vaginal and rectal 
mucous membranes are intensely congested. : 
The marked swelling of the face, stomatitis, glossitis, and con- 
vulsive movements of the jaws in the pneumonic form of the disease, 
described by European writers, more especially Bollinger, were not 
observed by Wilson and Brimhall or by Reynolds. The edematous 
form is stated by Hutyra to be more rapidly fatal. 
The pectoral form exhibits symptoms of an acute pleuro-pneumonia. 
There is a dry and rather painful cough. This form has been mis- 
taken for contagious pleuro-pneumonia. 
