118 The Diseases of Animals 
there is evidence of struggling or of spasms. Strug- 
gling also occurs in many other forms of death. When 
arsenic is used there is irritation and inflammation of 
the stomach and bowels. 
An examination should be made for abnormal dis- 
charges from the natural openings of the body. These 
may occur as a result of bloating or decomposition 
following death, or from the position of the body, 
which may allow their eseape by gravity. In ease the 
animal is a female and pregnant, evidence of parturition 
should be looked for. 
The general appearance of the body should be noted, 
whether fat or thin, as indicating starvation or disease. 
Signs of mange or itch should be looked for, as well 
as evidence of injuries, especially fractures of bones, 
punctured or gun-shot wounds, and hernias or rup- 
tures. Bruises do not show plainly on animals until the 
skin is removed. Sores that come from lying in one 
position, or from struggling, are often important. In 
regions where Texas fever occurs in eattle, the skin on 
the abdomen and inside of the thighs and legs should 
be examined for ticks. 
After a thorough external examination, the skin 
should be removed and the body examined for wounds 
or bruises. It must be remembered that, after death, 
the blood settles in the lowest parts of the body, and 
this must not be mistaken for disease. The color of the 
tissues should be noted. Abnormally black, or bruised, 
bloody-looking muscle, in young cattle, may indicate 
blackleg; or, in adult cattle and other animals, may 
be anthrax. The appearance of the blood is important, 
