Symptoms. 857 



& Vallee]),and then it may remain at the same height, at least 

 intermittently, until the fatal termination of the disease. 

 Sometimes intermissions of 1 to 2 days are observed (see Fig. 

 153). The number of pulse beats increases up to 60 to 90 

 per minute, the pulse appearing weak and soft, the heart's 

 action however stronger. Exercise of even short duration 

 produces a considerable increase of frequency of the heart's* 

 action and a temporary irregularity of the pulse. 



The conjunctivae appear somewhat swollen and of a uni- 

 form washed-out red color with a somewhat yellowish tint, 

 sometimes showing heniiorrhages up to the size of a dime, ir- 

 regular in shape (principally in the membrana nictitans). At 

 the same time slight lachrymation is present. The nasal mucous 

 membrane also appears reddened and shows punctif brm hemor- 

 rhages, especially on the nasal septum. Not infrequently there 

 is a scanty serous, sometimes also reddish colored nasal dis- 

 charge, in some instances a cough is also observed. 



Diarrhea, with passing of broken balls of feces or fluid 

 excrement, which may be stained reddish or covered with blood 

 coagulum is frequently present. The urine is passed at short 

 intervals, and contains albumen, which may reach 1.6% in 

 amount but is usually found in much smaller quantities. In 

 the sediment of the urine granular or epithelial casts may be 

 found. 



The appetite is depressed from the beginning. At the same 

 time a rapidly increasing emaciation is noticeable which may 

 progress so rapidly that the animals may lose one-fourth to 

 one-third of their body weight in a few days (Carre & Vallee), 

 or they may emaciate inside of two weeks almost to skeletons. 

 Very slight edematous swellings in the distal parts of the 

 extremities, the lower chest and the lower abdomen, are also 

 not infrequently observed. 



Coagulation of the blo^od is retarded, the separated blood 

 serum appears darker yellow, or even somewhat greenish and 

 dichroic. The nurnber of red blood corpuscles diminishes in 

 prop®rtion to the duration of the disease, so that after 10 to 

 15 days a diminution of 1,000,000 to 2,000,000 may be demon- 

 strated. Immediately before the fatal termination however the 

 number may be reduced to one-half (Carre & Vallee). As the 

 relative number of the red blood corpuscles depends also con- 

 siderably on the existing water contents of the blood, there may 

 be decided variations in this respect, in spite of the fact that 

 a considerable reduction of the absolute quantity of the red 

 blood corpuscles exist (see p. 848). 



The determination of the relative quantity of r-^d blood corpuscles . with a 

 test tube as first recommended by Zschqkke, is particularly suitable for practical 

 purposes. Any desired test tube is filled with blood drawn from the veins, then is 

 allowed to stand in water at a temperature of 10-12° C. for a half hour; then the 

 length of the sections of the test tube measured are those which contain the, blood 

 plasma and the layer of the deposited red blood corpuscles. Finally the ratio 

 between the two is calculated from these measurements. (Normally the length 



