204 ENTERITIS. 



Bearing in mind these facts, we are better able to understand the 

 part played by cold, by damaged fodder, by intense, stimulating feed- 

 ing, or sudden changes in the food, as well as by the action of drastic 

 purgatives, ^Yhich modify beyond physiological limits the condition of 

 the glands, or even cause local desquamation of epithelium. 



Toxic substances or plants act similarly by modifying either the 

 circulatory, secretory, or motor systems. 



Symptoms. The first appreciable external symptoms appear to result 

 from fever — loss of aj^petite, suspension of rumination, dryness of the 

 muzzle and of the mouth, earthy-red colour of the conjunctival mucous 

 membrane, etc. 



On manipulating the left flank one notes neither tympanites nor 

 sensitiveness — in a word, there is no indication of functional disturb- 

 ance of the rumen. 



On the right side, on the contrary, palpation causes the animal to 

 resist and to show signs of pain. According as this sensitiveness is more 

 marked in the middle or upper region or towards the hypochondriac 

 circle, we infer that the inflammation is most acute in the large or 

 small intestine, either in the middle portions or, again, in the most 

 anterior portion. The temperature always rises at the commence- 

 ment, attaining 103° to 104° Fahr. (39-5 ' or 40° C), but rarely a higher 

 point, a fact which negatives the idea of a rapidly progressive infectious 

 disease. Slight colic appears, and is accompanied by constipation ; the 

 ffeces are covered with mucus, or false membranes, or are comjiletely 

 enclosed in fibrinous tubes. After four or five days the fteces change 

 in character. Constipation gives place to a liquid, blackish, very foetid 

 diarrhoea. Finally the mouth exhales a stercoraceous odour, resulting 

 from fcetid eructation. 



The passage of flat or tubular false membranes continues for a certain 

 time. 



"When false membranes constitute the chief symptom, the condi- 

 tion is termed " pseudo-membranous, croupal, or diphtheritic enteritis." 

 This form is only a variety of acute enteritis, but is grave, because 

 complications due to hemorrhage or infection are very liable to occur. 



In certain cases movement causes groaning. In the slighter forms 

 the patient may recover spontaneously. If fed with easily digested 

 materials, the symptoms diminish in intensity. Towards the eighth 

 day the faeces become normal, appetite and rumination reappear, and 

 the secretion of milk which had fallen ofl" rises to its normal amount. 

 Resolution has occurred. 



More frequently, either because the animals have less power of 

 resistance or because decomposition is taking place more actively in 

 the intestine, or, again, because intoxication is setting in, the disease 



