576 DISEASES OF THE HOBSE. 



this time the wasting has been steadily progressive, especially of the 

 muscles of the back and those surrounding the hip joint and the 

 glutei. 



Toward the termination of the disease it will be noticed that an 

 animal is disinclined to move, and when made to do so there is 

 manifest loss of power over the hind quarters, somewhat simulating 

 a slight partial paralysis, and the hind quarters of the animal reel 

 from side to side. In connection with this it may be noted that 

 frequently there is paralysis of the sphincter ani and a dilated 

 condition of the anus. These symptoms taken together point to some 

 interference with the normal functions of the spinal cord in the lower 

 dorsal and lumbar regions, and are probably owing to pressure 

 caused by an exudation within the spinal membranes. In many 

 cases shortly before death the heart's action becomes exceedingly 

 violent, shaking the whole frame at each beat, so that the sound can 

 be heard at some distance from the animal. In some of these cases 

 the animal may suddenly drop dead; in others the emaciation and 

 weakness become so pronounced that it falls to the ground, and, 

 after a short struggle, succumbs to the disease. In other cases, 

 again, the animal falls to the ground and appears to be suffering, 

 from acute pain, struggles violently, sweat covers the body, and res- 

 piration is very hurried. The struggles soon exhaust the patient's 

 strength, and for a time it lies quiet; soon, however, the struggles 

 commence again, continuing until death occurs. In some cases the 

 appetite is voracious. 



The symptoms of the disease as observed in experimentally inocu- 

 lated animals are as follows : Twenty-four hours after the subcutane- 

 ous injection of a small quantity of surra blood, in the great majority 

 of cases., a small circumscribed and somewhat raised swelling is 

 noticed at the seat of the inoculation. After forty-eight hours the 

 tumor has increased in size and is accompanied with some edema ; it 

 presents a certain amount of tension of the parts involved, and is 

 generally tender on manipulation. These conditions continue to in- 

 crease, until by the fourth day the tumor may measure 3 or 4 inches 

 in one direction by 2 or 3 in the other, and raised to the extent of an 

 inch or an inch and a half above the surrounding tissues, or in some 

 cases the tumor presents an almost circular form throughout. It will 

 be also found that, if the tumor is firmly grasped, it is not fixed, but 

 can be lifted up from the subcutaneous tissue. According to the 

 nature and quantity of the inoculated blood, these symptoms rapidly 

 present themselves, and either attain a maximum or are retarded 

 until, varying from the fourth to the thirteenth day, the tumor at 

 the seat of inoculation will be found to have lost a certain amount 

 of its tension and tenderness. From this date the swelling and 

 edema gradually begin to grow less, until finally, after a period of 



