334 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 



tentiou of the skin with air or gas contained in the subcutaneous 

 areolar tissue. It may depend upon a septic condition of the blood, 

 as in anthrax or blackleg; or air may be forced under the skin about 

 the head, neck, and shoulders, as a result of rupture of the windpipe. 

 It occurs in the region of the chest and shoulders from penetrating 

 wounds of the chest and lung, and occasionally follows puncture of 

 the rumen, when the escaping gas is retained under the skin. 



Symptoms. — The skin is enormously distended over a greater or 

 less portion of the body; thus any region of the body may lose its 

 natural contour and appear like a monstrosity. There is a peculiar 

 crackling beneath the skin when the hand is passed over it, and on 

 tapping it with the -fingers a resonant drum-like sound is elicited. 



Treatment. — Puncture the distended skin with a clean broad-bladed 

 knife and press out the contained air. Further treatment must be 

 directed with a view to the removal of the cause. 



