134 TUBERCULOSIS 



the lesions are both extensive and widel}' distributed and which 

 have never presented noticeable signs of the disease, are killed 

 in prime condition for beef without a suspicion of the presence 

 of disease. 



Since the lesions of tuberculosis vary so much in dififerent 

 cases, it is not possible to give a description of what can be 

 designated the characteristic or even the usual sj'mptoras of 

 this disease. There are, however, certain general manifestions 

 that appear in most of the advanced cases, such as emaciation, 

 while the appetite continues good. This is always a suspicious 

 indication and especially' if accompanied by cough, rough coat 

 and tight, harsh skin. Rough or loud respiratory sounds are 

 suspicions, and, in advanced cases, it is often found that the 

 animal groans when pressure is brought to bear upon the chest 

 wall. Many cases bloat habitualh-, and hard, painless swell- 

 ings (enlarged lymphatic glands) beneath the skin in the region 

 of the escutcheon, fiank, shoulder or throat are suspicious. 



In tuberculosis of the lungs, it ma}- be said that coughing 

 is the most noticeable symptom. It is most common after 

 feeding, drinking, or after rapid moving following a period of 

 repose, but sometimes it occurs without any apparent cause. 

 The cough is usually strong, dr}' and frequenth' of a high 

 pitch. vSometimes it is very violent accompanied by protru- 

 sion of the tongue. Au.scultation re\-eals modified and abnor- 

 mal sounds of different kinds iu the lungs ; sibilant, sonorous 

 and mucous rales are most conmion. A dull sound is often 

 detected on percussion. It is also to be noted that this condi- 

 tion is of slow development and long duration, thus aiding one 

 to distinguish it, in many cases, from bronchitis or pneumonia. 



Where the mediastinal lymphatic glands are enlarged and 

 press upon the oesophagus, it is stated that the animal bloats 

 habitually. Chronic or habitual bloating accompanied by a 

 good appetite and no other evidence of disease of the digestive 

 tract, especially if there is shortness of breath and cough, 

 may be looked upon as strongly indicative of tuberculosis with 

 enlarged mediastinal lymphatic glands. 



Sometimes large tubercular masses develop on the pleura. 

 In such cases the principal symptom is a friction sound that is 



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