INFECTIOUS DISEASES. 571 
and most constant lesion is probably the petechiz, so often observed 
in the muscle or on the serous membranes of the heart. The heart 
is generally enlarged and may be the only organ to show evidence of 
disease. In other cases the lungs may be studded with petechizw, with 
a serous exudate present in the thoracic cavity. In addition to the 
petechiz already noted, the pericardial sac generally contains an 
increased quantity of fluid. The abdominal cavity may show peri- 
tonitis and a hemorrhagic condition of the intestines, which probably 
result from overfeeding in consequence of the ravenous appetite. 
The liver, although usually normal, sometimes presents a few areas 
of degeneration. The spleen is at times found to be enlarged and 
covered with petechiz. The kidneys may appear normal or anemic 
and flaccid, but microscopically they usually show a chronic paren- 
chymatous degeneration. The lymph glands may be enlarged and 
hemorrhagic. 3 
Diagnosis.—The diagnosis of the disease is not difficult, especially 
in advanced stages. The insidious onset, remittent fever, progressive 
emaciation and anemia, unimpaired or ravenous appetite, staggering 
gait and polyuria are a train of symptoms which make the disease 
sufficiently characteristic to differentiate it from other diseases af- 
fecting horses in this country. The peculiar relapsing type of fever, 
the great reduction in the number of red blood cells, and the absence 
of eosinophila are sufficient to differentiate it from the anemias pro- 
-duced by internal parasites, while it may be readily distinguished 
from surra by the nonsusceptibility of cattle and by the great ease 
with which the trypanosoma may be found in the latter affection. 
Prognosis—The prognosis of the disease is very unfavorable. 
Veterinarians in different sections of the country where it is preva- 
lent report a mortality of 75 per cent or even higher. Recovery 
takes place only when treatment is begun early or when the animal 
has a long convalescent period. 
Treatment.—The treatment of the disease has so far been far from 
satisfactory. The iodid, permanganate, and carbonate of potash 
have been used. Arsenic, axytol, quinin, and silver preparations 
have been suggested, but all have been uniformly without success. 
Intestinal antiseptics have been resorted to, and the results are 
encouraging but not altogether satisfactory. Symptomatic treat- 
ment seems to be the most dependable. For instance, Davison, of 
this bureau, was able to reduce greatly the mortality from this 
affection by giving an antipyretic of 40 grains of quinin, 2 drams 
of acetanilid, and 30 grains of powdered nux vomica four times 
daily. In the late stages, with weak heart action, alcohol should 
be substituted for acetanilid. Cold-water sponge baths may be given, 
and in addition frequent copious injections of cold water per rectum, 
which has a beneficial effect in reducing the temperature and in 
