RINDERPEST 407 
the yield of milk and loss of appetite; rumination becomes disturbed 
and the animal may have slight attacks of shivering. 
After these preliminary symptoms, respiration becomes accelerated 
and the visible mucous membranes assume a scarlet color. There is 
thirst, loss of appetite, and rumination ceases. The nostrils become 
congested and often discharge a sero-purulent substance. The 
muzzle is usually dry and hot. 
The feces gradually become thinner until violent diarrhea accom- 
panied by colic sets in. The evacuations become fetid, viscid and 
sometimes mixed with blood. There may be straining and groans due 
to pain in defecating. The sphincter muscle loses its tension and 
becomes paralyzed. Theanimal 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 violent 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 covered 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. 
Less frequently crusts are formed from the tumors by their caseous 
disintegration. The crusts on being shed leave dark red hollow places, 
the so-called erosion ulcers, which bleed readily. In slight cases of 
the disease there may be no crusts or erosions. It is stated that some- 
times 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 confused with that of variola. Preg- 
nant animals frequently abort. In the later stages the animal lies 
down most of the time. 
Boynton has succeeded in keeping the virus alive on artificial media 
for some generations. His full report has not been published. 
In sheep and goats the disease is milder, and its infectiousness is 
said to be less than in cattle, although the symptoms are essentially 
the same. 
The duration of the disease varies, in fatal cases, from 3 to 10 days 
after the rise of temperature. Boynton states that the average dura- 
tion in the Philippines is about 6 days. Occasionally there is a relapse 
