422 Calf Diphtheria. 



found. The spleen is not enlarged and the lymph glands show 

 a moderately acute swelling. 



Symptoms. The disease commences on about the fifth day 

 after the infection with marked weakness and diminished appe- 

 tite, as well as a slight rise in temperature. On the second to 

 third day salivation appears, and at the same time on one or 

 both cheeks a hard painful swelling is noted. With a finger 

 introduced into the buccal cavity, rough deposits may be felt 

 on the mucous membrane in the corresponding places, On 

 inspection of the mouth however, on these as well as on other 

 places, especially on the hard palate and on the swollen tongue, 

 yellowish deposits are found, which in part show a ragged 

 surface. 



In the meantime there is a yellowish discharge from the 

 nose, and the nostrils fill with dirty yellow, brittle masses, on 

 account of which the respiration appears snuffling. At the same 

 time the animals become greatly emaciated, and are able to 

 take, only from time to time, and with difficulty, small quantities 

 of water. In some cases cough, and a very labored, rattling 

 respiration, indicate an affection of the larynx and the lungs, 

 while diarrhea points to an involvement of the intestines. 

 (Dammann observed in one case a necrosis of the skin and 

 of the subcutis in the interdigital space in both forelegs.) 

 Exceptionally swelling and a suppuration of all glands of the 

 head have also been observed. 



Eggeling found repeatedly that the disease commenced in calves 

 with high fever, difficulty in respiration, and inability to swallow. At 

 the same time cows which had recently calved showed a diphtheritic 

 vaginal and uterine involvement. 



Course. The disease terminates in the majority of cases 

 in death after 4 to 5 days, in other cases again in about three 

 weeks, pneumonia being usually the immediate cause. In the 

 rare cases with favorable termination the convalescence lasts 

 several weeks, as the defects on the mucous membrane after 

 the shedding of the necrotic deposits heal reluctantly, and the 

 strength of the affected animals is regained very slowly. 



Diagnosis. The thick deposits on the lesions, consisting 

 principally of necrotic tissue of the mucous membrane, dis- 

 tinguish the affection from foot-and-mouth disease, in which 

 the erosions are at the worst only covered with fine, loose, 

 readily removable pseudo-membranes. In aphthous stomatitis 

 and in thrush only superficial, readily removable deposits form 

 on the only very slightly swollen mucous membrane. 



Treatment. After removing those deposits, which are not 

 very firmly adherent, it is advisable to paint the ulcerating 

 surfaces, as well as the firmly adhering pseudo-membranes 



