102 DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE APPARATUS. 



cure the symptoms become rapidly more acute. There is complete 

 loss of appetite ; the muzzle becomes dry and cracked, the fever is 

 intense, the pulse small and weak, the heart-beatings are tumultu- 

 ous ; tympanites increases, the peristaltic movements are entirely 

 suppressed, and, according to circumstances, there is a stubborn 

 constipation or profuse diarrhea. The weakened condition becomes 

 more marked every day ; the exhausted animals remain in a de- 

 cubital position and complain frequently ; death results finally 

 from marasmus. 



Pathological anatomy. The alterations vary with the loca- 

 tion, intensity, and duration of the affection. 



The rumen is ordinarily distended by gases and dry alimentary 

 matters ; the epithelium can often be detached immediately after 

 death, and Bruckmiiller has found it much thickened. The mucous 

 membrane is mostly of a uniform red, more or less dark, at times it 

 presents numerous ecchymoses ; a blackish or reddish-brown colora- 

 tion can be observed upon portions of the mucous membrane, which 

 is covered with large papillae. According to An acker, the papillae 

 are often destroyed. The reticulum contains a certain quantity of 

 coarse, dried-up fodder; its mucous membrane presents lesions 

 which are of the same nature as those of the paunch. 



The third stomach is much distended and filled with alimen- 

 tary matters ; the dried masses interposed between the leaves of the 

 organ are much compressed and very hard, and in some cases the 

 epithelium is adherent to their surfaces immediately after death ; at 

 times the matter is coarse, or it may have undergone the second 

 mastication and can be reduced to fine dust by the fingers. The 

 mucous membrane of the leaves has a red, diffuse color, or is 

 studded with, ecchymoses ; it may be inflamed, softened, and can 

 be easily torn ; at other times it is in a gangrenous condition, cov- 

 ered with dark hemorrhagic centres or bloody ulcerations. The 

 abomasum ordinarily contains very little chyme mixed with food 

 which is not entirely masticated ; Bruckmiiller has found a slaty 

 pigmentation in the shape of streaks or irregular blots upon the 

 mucous membrane ; this membrane is often atrophied, smooth, and 

 covered with a mucous exudate. 



In the intestine we find the mucous membrane red or slate- 

 colored and atrophied, with pitting as a result of the disappearance 

 of Peyer's patches. In the duodenum, the intestinal contents are 

 liquid, mucous, and colored by the bile. The large intestine con- 



