Parasitic Gastritis in Cattle. 
75 
probability parasites do not increase in the stomach. A little 
while after death, the worm is more readily found in the 
contents of the stomach, which are usually quite liquid. 
Though, occasionally, post-mortem examination reveals 
some redness of inflammation, frequently only a watery con- 
dition of the mucous membrane of the stomach is noticeable, 
and a carcass often presents nothing remarkable to the ordinary 
observer, and beyond the emaciation and catarrh of the stomach, 
no more to the expert. There is, therefore, little wonder that, 
prior to the discovery of the cause of the affection, the losses 
were attributed to other and various agencies. We are not 
aware that until 1892, when we contributed an article to the 
“Veterinary Record,” announcing the discovery of the parasites, 
the real nature had been recognised. 
Unfortunately, nothing is so far known as to the life-history 
and development of these worms. Only mature worms and 
eggs have been encountered in the stomach or the bowel con- 
tents and faeces of affected animals. It is therefore probable 
that eggs develop into embryos outside the bodies of cattle, and 
that after further development these are taken in with food 
or water. Some actual observations on worms of the same 
class suggest that moisture and a period of residence within a 
soft-bodied animal, such as a worm, or snail, is a necessary part 
of the life-cycle of the worm. 
The disease is usually noticed in the autumn and early 
winter, and though young cattle are most frequently its 
subjects, it is occasionally met with in adults. 
Symptoms . — The manifestation of symptoms will depend 
very largely on the number of the worms in action in the 
stomach. The effect of a few will probably be inappreciable. 
In somewhat rare instances the manifestations are acute, severe, 
and rather rapidly fatal. In the majority, the symptoms are 
less severe, and the course of the disease more protracted. 
Indeed, often the malady is sub-acute and of long duration. 
Diarrhoea, wasting, and poverty of blood (anaemia) are the 
special features met with in all forms. Its subjects are first 
observed to lose their bloom and to do badly ; diarrhoea is 
usually noticed from the early stage, and is continued through- 
out, getting more and more continuous and profuse. The 
membranes become paler, and emaciation more marked ; 
occasionally, in the later stages, dropsical swellings may be 
noticed under the dewlap and between the lower jaws. 
Throughout, the appetite generally remains good. There is 
little other constitutional disturbance, and no fever. These 
conditions may last for several months, and such animals 
are popularly known as “ piners, wasters, scanters, skinters, 
scrofulous, and consumptives,” though probably it should 
