MYCOTIC OR INFECTIOUS GASTRO-ENTEBITIS. 209 



great weakness ; the animals are in a condition of somnolence and 

 stupor, remain continually down, or, if they are standing, they are 

 hardly able to hold themselves, they stagger, and end by falling. 

 Nervous phenomena may be observed, spasms, grinding of the 

 teeth, and trembling. In some cases the wide-opened anus allows 

 liquid excrements to escape; in others there is tenesmus. When the 

 poisoning is produced by mould we see also symptoms of nephritis 

 or cystitis (polyuria of the horse). Abortion is a frequent compli- 

 cation of the conditions produced by Ustilago maydis. 



The duration of the trouble varies from one day to one or two 

 weeks. Fatal apoplexies are not rare. 



Pathological anatomy. The mucous membrane of the stomach 

 and intestine is tumefied, infiltrated, and dotted with ecchymoses ; 

 that of the small intestine is sometimes the color of soot (eel-skin) ; 

 the contents of the intestine are watery, mucous, or bloody; the 

 lymphatic ganglions are softened and areolated. When the disease 

 has lasted longer, gangrenous spots can be detected, or even intes- 

 tinal perforations and a suppurating peritonitis. The blood is 

 somewhat dark and pitchy ; it stains a dark-red all the tissues 

 with which it is in contact. The liver is hypertrophied ; when 

 the disease has taken a slow course it is found to be very soft and 

 affected by fatty degeneration ; it quickly undergoes putrefaction. 

 The lungs, heart, the meninges and the brain are hyperemic and 

 ecchymosed. The flesh is sodden ; after being cooked it spreads 

 a repulsive odor, and its flavor is disagreeable ; the fat is gelatini- 

 form. 



Differential diagnosis. Infectious gastro- enteritis may be con- 

 founded with several diseases. It has to be especially diflerentiated: 



1. From toxic gastro-enteritis, which has a similar course and is 

 accompanied by a general serious condition. The diagnosis can 

 only be based upon etiological considerations. 



2. From bovine pest. This is characterized by an intense inflam- 

 matory process of all the mucous membranes (digestive, respiratory, 

 ocular, and genital), by erosions of the buccal and vulvar mucous 

 membranes, by its extreme contagiousness, its course and rapid 

 extension, and at the autopsy by typical alterations. 



3. From anthrax. This is recognized by its rapid course and by 

 the detection of a micro-organism differing from the other bacilli that 

 may be found in intestinal mucus ; it is motionless, clearly out- 

 lined on its extremities, and forms spores outside of the organism. 



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