2l8 
TODD AND WOLBACH. 
There is marked parenchymatous degeneration of the 
kidneys ; they are congested and between the tubules there 
may be free red and white cells. 
The lymph glands are hyperemic and edematous. 
VI. Symptoms and course of the disease. — Swamp 
Fever is characterized by progressive weakness, wasting, and 
anemia, and by an irregularly intermitting fever. Usually 
the first sign of the disease to be noticed is that an active 
horse has become listless and easily tired ; at this time an 
examination usually fails to reveal any cause for the change. 
The gait becomes uncertain, and a definite weakness of the 
loins and hind legs appears. The temperature varies much, 
and is exceedingly irregular; it may be as high as 103^ F. ; 
it may reach 106^. The pulse is weak and rapid; it may 
run as high as fifty to seventy beats to the minute. Although 
the pulse rate is high its rapidity does not increase in pro- 
portion to the height of the temperature; for example, a 
temperature of 105° F. may be accompanied by a pulse rate 
of only fifty. The pulse, especially in advanced cases, is 
characterized by a distinctive thrill," which is described as 
feeling " as though the vessel were not quite filled." 
It is characteristic of Swamp Fever that the appetite 
remains good all through the disease, and even almost to its 
termination ; but, in spite of the large amounts of food which 
they may consume, horses in the last stage of Swamp Fever 
are always in exceedingly poor condition. The coat stares, 
they are very thin, and anemia is excessive. Polyuria is 
often present, and in advanced cases the urine may be albu- 
minous. The mucous membranes are very pale and pete- 
chial hemorrhages may be seen in the membrana nictitans, 
in the nostrils, and in the mouth. Blood serum may ooze 
from the mucous membranes of the nostrils. 
A blood count made at this time will show that the blood 
only contains from two to three millions of red cells to each 
cubic millimeter. The white cells are slightly fewer than 
normal (four thousand to eight thousand) ; but there may 
be an increase in the relative number of lymphocytes present. 
