CHRONIC GASTRO-INTESTINAL CATARRH OF THE OX, IQl 



seated nutritive troubles and general diseases of slow evolution. It 

 is quite common to see it during the course of tuberculosis. 



Symptoms. The symptoms of chronic catarrh differ only from 

 those of the acute form by their duration and their rebellious char- 

 acter. The trouble is specially characterized by remissions and 

 frequent aggravations, which are to some extent periodic. 



The general conditions are manifestly altered : the animals are 

 low-spirited and feverish ; the temperature of the body is irregu- 

 larly distributed ; the skin is dry and adheres to the subcutaneous 

 connective tissue ; the hair is dull and bristly : emaciation appears 

 and increases with the duration of the trouble. Sometimes the 

 patients lick any hard bodies within their reach. The buccal 

 cavity shows the alterations which have been described as belong- 

 ing to the acute catarrh. 



The appetite, rumination, and the movements of the rumen are 

 diminished or completely suppressed. The eructations are infre- 

 quent and fetid. The rumen is distended with alimentary matters; 

 the pressure of the hand sweeping over the flank gives a unique 

 sensation of resistance. Slight tympanites is almost always ob- 

 served, which is at first only manifested after meals, but becomes 

 permanent when the peristaltic movements are completely sup- 

 pressed. In some animals we observe vomituritions and even 

 vomitings (Mazoyer). 



The defecations are infrequent ; the excrements are ejected in 

 black masses of the consistence of turf (often called " burnt by 

 the owners) ; they are covered with a thick, thread-like mucus, 

 which is sometimes bloody, or with a muco-fibrinous exudate, and 

 contain alimentary fragments which have escaped mastication or 

 digestion. At times the fecal matters are soft and watery, at other 

 times of acid odor or fetid — symptoms of grave lesions of the 

 intestine. Generally we see constipation and diarrhea alternate. 



Micturition is less abundant, but we know nothing exact about 

 the reaction of the urine. The lacteal secretion is diminished or 

 completely suppressed. We often observe complaints, groans, 

 grinding of the teeth ; certain authors have insisted upon affirming 

 the existence of painful sensations suffered by the animals when 

 compressing the dorso-lumbar region or percussing the chest ; we 

 think, with Harms, that they rather form a manifestation of the 

 inflammations of the gastric compartments (from foreign bodies or 

 commencing peritonitis). If the disease is not going to end in a 



