REPORT ON THE CATTLE PLAGUE. 
691 
of the characters of ordinary mucus, but, when carefully ex- 
amined, will be found to contain flocculi of lymph. A slight 
cough is also present in some cases ; but it cannot be heard 
except one is near to the patient, when it imparts a singular 
and almost indescribable sound to the ear. 
The expression of the countenance does not denote much 
acute suffering, and the eyes are without any dull appearance, 
except in the advanced stages of the malady, when the lids 
are found to be drooping as in sleep, and the ears to be a 
little lopped. The vessels of the conjunctival membrane are 
almost without turgescence ; but a discharge in most cases 
comes from the eyes, which accumulates in a yellow jelly- 
like mass at the inner angle, and when examined is likewise 
found to be composed principally of lymph. 
The bowels are but little disturbed at the very beginning 
of the disease ; but the feculent matter, almost unaltered at 
first in consistency, is soon passed in increased quantity, and 
in the course of the second day diarrhoea sets in. This 
diarrhoea is presently followed by dysentery, which con- 
tinues to the end. The evacuations are not particularly 
offensive, but they' are remarkably fluid, of a dirty yellow 
colour, and mixed with numerous small flocculi of lymph. 
Occasionally a little blood stains the evacuations, and tenes- 
mus is also present in some cases. The abdomen becomes 
much pinched in, and the animal’s strength quickly fails him. 
He now keeps mostly recumbent, and rises very reluctantly. 
If made to move he staggers, and often falls for want of 
strength. The spasmodic twitchings now begin to diminish , 
and for some hours before death they have entirely passed 
off. 
A sickly smell attends the patient, but there are no dis- 
engagements of gaseous compounds into the areolar tissue, 
nor any other indications of the decomposition of the tissues 
which have been spoken of by some writers. In short, the 
animal dies, apparently, and almost without convulsions, from 
pure prostration of the vital powers. 
In those cases which recover no pustules have been ob- 
served as forming on the skin, nor any desquamation of the 
cuticle or fall of the hair. Nor have any ulcers of the eyes, 
nostrils, or muzzle, been noticed by us in either extreme or 
protracted cases. 
One of the most favorable indications of a return to 
health is a less frequent evacuation of fluid from the intes- 
tinal canal, and the dejections possessing somewhat a fecu- 
lent character. Such animals soon acquire a more lively 
appearance, look about for some tempting kind of food, and 
