INFECTIOUS DISEASES OF CATTLE. 



379 



affected. There is an increased formation of a viscid secretion which 

 flows down the face. 



Another series of changes prominent in some epizootics and mild or 

 absent in others are the ulcers, or so-called "erosions," in the mouth. 

 These begin as red patches and streaks. The muQpus membrane in 

 such localities is converted into a grayish white slough, which, when 

 shed, leaves a small erosion, or ulcer. At the same time similar changes 

 may go on in the skin of the thighs, the udder, or the scrotum, and 

 about the vagina, which lead to small sloughs. 



In severe cases, which are the most common in the susceptible cattle 

 of western Europe, death ensues four to seven days after the first 

 appearance of the disease, and is preceded by great emaciation and 

 debility, fetid, purulent discharges from nose and mouth, and the 

 relaxed rectum and vagina. 



After death, if the animal be opened and the organs carefully exam- 

 ined, the chief changes will be found in the digestive organs. The 

 lining membrane of the mouth and pharynx is covered with mucus, 

 is reddened in spots, and shows superficial yellowish gray, cheesy 

 patches, which represent dead tissue and when removed expose ulcer- 

 ated depressions. The same reddening in spots and the yellowish 

 gray, cheesy deposits or patches are found in the fourth stomach, the 

 small intestines, and more rarely in the cecum, while the third stom- 

 ach, or manyplies, is more or less impacted with dry, hard food. Simi- 

 lar changes may be found on the mucous membrane of the nasal cavity, 

 larynx, trachea, the uterus, vagina, and rectum. The lungs may be 

 injected, edematous, or pneumonic. The heart muscle is pale and 

 flabby, and frequently hemorrhages are observed in its internal mem- 

 brane. The liver may be pale or injected with blood, and at times 

 shows hemorrhages beneath its capsule. The bile is thin and watery 

 in consistence. The kidneys may be inflamed or contain small hem- 

 orrhages within their substance or under the capsule. The lymphatic 

 glands may be swollen and injected or even hemorrhagic. 



Treatment. — On account of the danger of spreading the infection, 

 neither medicinal treatment nor inoculation is permitted in European 

 countries, with the exception of Russia, where the disease is more 

 generally diffused. The most effective method of exterminating rin- 

 derpest in those districts in which the disease is not indigenous has 

 been found to be the slaughter of all affected and exposed animals. 

 Where the disease is general, successful efforts adopted for its con- 

 trol have followed the immunization by inoculation of the exposed 

 animals and a strict application of appropriate sanitary measures. 

 This protective inoculation has been practiced with very gratifying 

 ' results in Russia, South Africa, and in the Philippine Islands. An 

 active immunity is thus induced in susceptible animals which lasts 

 until the danger from exposure to the disease is over. This immu- 

 nity may be attained (1) by the inoculation of pure bile from an animal 



