650 ON TIIE DISTEMPER AMONG CATTLE. 
to Carlisle, in March and April, 1843. This stock mostly con- 
sisted of well-bred short-horns, well kept, and partly fed on bran, 
&c., from an attached mill. The sheds and yards were not dis- 
posed in the best order for the avoidance of excremental effluvia; 
and probably the disease was influenced by some of these circum- 
stances. In most instances there was positive proof of connec- 
tion with diseased stock ; in almost all the others fresh cattle had 
been introduced from the fairs, affording strong presumptive proof 
that they had come from diseased stocks; and, in all, thebought-in 
cattle continued several weeks, or even months, apparently well, 
and then exhibited the disease in all its virulence. I have no proof 
of the disease having been conveyed from one stock to another 
by the herd or attendant, though great facilities existed in some 
instances; neither have I known it pass by contiguity to ano- 
ther stock ; but different classes of cattle on the same farm, that 
were usually kept apart, have been affected without (as was pre- 
sumed) coming in contact. 
Symptoms. — The animal is observed to be tucked up in the 
carcass, and falling off in condition — the appetite rather defective 
— turnips are refused — the secretion of milk is diminished — 
there is frequent shifting of the hinder extremities in the stall 
— their movements are languid, stiff, or wavering. The bowels 
become irregular — the fseces are scanty, often inclined to diarrhoea, 
mostly mixed with mucus, and little urine is excreted. A short, 
husky cough is often present, pulse 70 to 80, and the respiration 
mostly accelerated. 
In some cases, five or six days elapse before these symptoms 
are much aggravated ; in others, they progress rapidly. The pulse 
becomes more frequent and quick, but seldom full and strong ; the 
respiration increases, accompanied by a sigh or groan, emitted by 
a sudden relaxation of the laryngeal muscles at the commence- 
ment of expiration. The crepitous rale is frequently audible in 
some parts of the chest, with absence of the respiratory murmur 
in others ; and the cough is more annoying. The appetite fails, 
and there is much unwillingness to move. The ears and horns are 
often hot ; sometimes alternated with cold fits, and rigors, general 
or partial. There is tenderness of the spine and chest, sometimes 
also of the throat. 
In the third stage these symptoms are aggravated ; the breath- 
ing becomes laborious — mostly irregular; the moan is piteous: 
sometimes the countenance is dejected, and the ears drooping ; the 
bronchial rale only is audible in some parts of the chest, which 
emits a dull sound on percussion. Dysentery generally occurs ; the 
emaciation and weakness are extremely great ; spume drivels from 
the mouth, and the animal sinks of chronic asphyxia. 
