DISEASES OP YOUNG CALVES. 247 



One is erysipelatoid; another purulent infection with the tendency to 

 secondary abscesses in the joints, liver, lungs, etc. ; another is due to 

 a septic germ and is associated with fetid discharge from the navel 

 and general putrid blood poisoning. In estimating the causes of the 

 disease we must not omit debility of the calf when the mother has 

 been underfed or badly housed or when either she or the fetus has 

 been diseased. 



Symptoms. — The symptoms will vary. With the chain-form germs 

 (streptococci) the navel becomes intensely red, with a very firm, pain- 

 ful swelling, ending abruptly at the edges in sound skin and extend- 

 ing forward along the umbilical veins. The secondary diseases are 

 circumscribed black engorgements (infarctions) or abscesses of the 

 liver, lungs, kidneys, bowels, or other internal organs, and sometimes 

 disease of the joints. 



With the ordinary pus-producing germs (Staphylococcus pyogenes 

 aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes) the local inflammation in the 

 navel causes a hot, painful swelling, which rapidly advances to the 

 formation of matter (pus), and the raw, exposed surface, at first bright 

 red, becomes dark red or black, soft, friable, and pultaceous. If the 

 pus is white, creamy, and comparatively inoffensive in odor, the sec- 

 ondary formations in internal organs and joints are mainly of the same 

 purulent character (secondary abscesses). 



If, on the other hand, the discharge is very offensive and the pus 

 more serous or watery or bloody, there is reason to suspect the pres- 

 ence of some of the septic bacteria, and the results on the general 

 system are a high fever and softening of the liver and spleen and no 

 tendency to abscesses of the internal organs. Diarrhea is a common 

 symptom, and death ensues early, the blood after death being found 

 unclotted. 



Complicated cases are common, and in all alike the umbilical veins 

 usually remain open and can be explored by a probe passed at first 

 upward and then forward toward the liver. 



Prevention is sought by applying a lotion of carbolic acid or iodine 

 solution to the navel string at birth, or it may be smeared with com- 

 mon wood tar, which is at once antiseptic and a protective covering 

 against germs. In the absence of either a strong decoction of tea of 

 oak bark may be used. 



Local treatment consists in the application of antiseptics to the sur- 

 face and their injection into the vein. As a lotion use carbolic acid, 

 1 ounce in a quart of strong decoction of oak bark, or salicylic acid 

 or salol may be sprinkled on the surface. The interior of the vein 

 should be swabbed out with a probe wrapped around with cotton wool 

 and dipped in boracic or salicylic acid. 



If complications have extended to the liver or other internal organs, 

 or the joints, other treatment will be demanded. In acute cases of 

 general infection an early fatal result is to be expected. 



