774 Piroplasmosis of Cattle. 



occur suddenly under symptoms resembling those of anthrax 

 (de Jong), or even without any previous indication. 



In mild cases the fever disappears about the middle of 

 the first week of illness, at the same time the urine clears up, 

 and the appetite as well as rumination returns. The animals 

 which in the meantime have become greatly emaciated, do not 

 regain their former condition for several weeks. 



In some cases, especially in young animals, only a moderate 

 fever which lasts but a few days, somewhat accelerated respira- 

 tion and pulse, diminished appetite, as well as evident dullness 

 are observed. The color of the urine does not however undergo 

 any change, and the moderate destruction of the red blood 

 corpuscles is only indicated by the paleness and slightly yel- 

 lowish discoloration of the mucous membranes. Such patients 

 recover very rapidly after the disappearance of the described 

 symptoms. 



Sexually mature ticks may be found on the body surface 

 of affected animals, .frequently in very great numbers in the 

 parts surrounding the vulva and the rectum, on the udder, 

 on the inner surface of the thigh, and in the inguinal region, 

 while the larvae and the nymphs lodge on the head, in the 

 vicinity of the muzzle, on the eyelids and ears, as well as on 

 the udder. 



According to Dsehunkowsky & Luhs a piroplasmosis of the type 

 of Texas fever occurs in Trans-Caucasia, which runs a very rapid course 

 of 2-3 days. It is always associated with hemoglobinuria and char- 

 acterized by a high mortality. No parasites are found in the peripheral 

 blood, while almost all erythrocytes of the parenchymatous organs are 

 infested. 



Course and Prognosis. If affected animals continue to 

 remain on infected pastures, they sometimes die with a rapid 

 aggravation of the symptoms as early as from 4 to 7 days, 

 but the course may also extend over a longer time. If they 

 are however removed immediately after the appearance of the 

 first symptoms to an uninfected place, recovery follows in most 

 cases. Dampness and cold, likewise very hot weather, influence 

 the course of the disease unfavorably. Accordingly the mor- 

 tality varies within wide limits (5 to 50%), and is usually higher 

 in southern warmer localities than in the temperate zone. 



Rapid sinking of the body temperature to 37° and below, 

 during continual excretion of hemoglobin with the urine, in- 

 dicates threatening danger, while a gradual diminution of the 

 febrile symptoms with strong pulse, and clearing of the urine, 

 indicates improvement. Sometimes however the improvement 

 is only temporary, and may later, as a result of a reinfection, 

 or under the influence of unfavorable weather conditions, again 

 become aggravated. Cattle which have passed through an 

 attack of the disease are usually immune against later infec- 

 tions. 



