GASTRO-INTESTINAL CATARRH OF YOUNG ANIMALS. 121 



for the first few days. In sucklings the principal symptom — 

 diarrhea — is usually preceded by a slight anorexia, some depres- 

 sion, and weakness ; in weaned animals, and especially when the 

 disease is induced by the ingestion of very cold water or an 

 external cold, it commences with fever and general troubles ; the 

 temperature of the body is irregularly distributed ; the members 

 are cold, the muzzle dry ; we notice a pronounced nervous depres- 

 sion, both sensory and motor. Diarrhea soon develops, the excre- 

 mentitious matters become more and more liquid and clear — they 

 are often expelled in a jet ; then they become fetid, mucous, yellow 

 or greenish-gray, spumous, and contain more or less fibrinous 

 flakes or clots. They are of an acid, putrid odor ; later they are 

 streaked with blood or even bloody; they are rejected at any 

 instant, soiling the posterior members, as well as the tail, and 

 causing the hair around the anus, the perineum, and the buttocks 

 to fall out. There is ordinarily tenesmus and slight colic; the 

 animals have their backs arched and the legs gathered ; the skin is 

 dry and the hair bristly ; the exhalations become fetid, and weakness 

 is excessive. 



We often find tympanites ; gases are accumulated at certain times 

 in the rumen and intestine, and produce a more or less intense 

 swelling. This condition, which results from abnormal fermenta- 

 tions, may exist before, during, or after the diarrheic period. 



In some cases death occurs after a lapse of time varying from a 

 few days to several weeks. It is generally produced by exhaustion, 

 anemia, or dropsy. Sometimes the disease is complicated by a 

 catarrhal pneumonia ; but this may possibly be a consequence of 

 pulmonary atelectasia, quite frequent in weak newborn animals. 



Prognosis. The prognosis must always be made with much 

 care, taking into account the etiological considerations above indi- 

 cated. The long duration of diarrhea and tympanites is always an 

 unfavorable prognostic symptom. 



Treatment. We must look for the cause of the trouble and 

 suppress it or diminish its effects. In sucklings we ought mainly 

 to look after the mother; very nutritious or very poor food should 

 be avoided ; also fatiguing work, as well as carrying the milk too 

 long in the mammary glands. We may also select another nurse. 



The feeding of the young animal should be regulated ; the num- 

 ber of meals will have to be increased, diminishing the milk ration 

 at the same time, which we should give in small quantities and at 



