254 DISEASES OF THE DOMESTIC ANIMALS 



In cattle, as in man, tuberculosis is acquired from infected 

 surroundings. The ejected bacilli in the nasal and uterine discharge 

 and feces infect the fodder, water and dust about the building. 

 Crowding, bad ventilation and poor nutrition favor acquisition of 

 the disorder. Some six months of habitation in an infected stable 

 with tuberculous animals is, however, often required for a healthy 

 animal to acquire tuberculosis. It is not hereditary (with rare ex- 

 ceptions), but the tendency to it is inherited. The young acquire it 

 more quickly in infected surroundings than do adults. Tuberculosis 

 assumes many forms. The more common only are noticed here. 

 While the symptoms may be marked, as below, yet they are often 

 notably absent and the subject may appear in good health and even 

 be fat. 



Symptoms. — In pulmonary form. Cough, more often in morn- 

 ing and after drinking and exercise. Quickened breathing and 

 enlarged glands about the throat and neck. Wasting, digestive dis- 

 turbance, as tympanites, constipation alternating with diarrhea, 

 pulse rapid, and temperature in later stages elevated at night. 

 Mucus is often discharged from nose. Local signs include rough 

 inspiratory sounds and prolonged and often blowing expiratory 

 murmur. Bronchial breathing. Various rales, as mucous, sonorous 

 and sibilant, and cavernous sounds. Dulness on percussion, espe- 

 cially over the lower posterior lobes. 



Of involvement of serous cavities. In pleural invasion there 

 may be dulness on percussing the lower region of the chest. Fric- 

 tion sounds may be heard. Cough and rapid breathing, without 

 the signs found in lung involvement. Pericarditis may also be 

 present. In the peritoneal form, chronic tympanites and tenderness 

 on pressure may be elicited, and thickening and rigidity of the wall 

 may be felt. Sterility, nymphomania and abortion are common. 



Glandular involvement. The retro-pharyngeal lymph nodes 

 are most commonly attacked and may be palpated as enlarged, 

 bosselated, and hard or fluctuating. Pressure of the enlargement 



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