390 
ON RHEUMATISM* IN CATTLE. 
By M. Crurel, V.S. at Grenade (Haute Garonne). 
INFLAMMATION of the muscles concerned in locomotio 
is an affection which we observe in cattle almost as often a 
gastro-enteritis. This may be either a simple disease, or j 
may be connected with inflammation of some internal organ 
All the muscles are not attacked at the same time, but those c 
the extremities and the loins are generally simultaneously affectec 
The early symptoms are these : the animal is dull; the muzz) 
dry; the hair rough ; the appetite diminished ; rumination almos 
suspended; the lowing hoarse and faint. The beast is alway 
found lying down; it can with difficulty be induced to rise, an 
it remains standing no longer than it is compelled. 
When the irritation affects the extremities, there is heat, ter 
sion, and enlargement. It is seldom that all of the extremitie 
are attacked at the beginning of the disease; but when the cas 
is neglected, the malady speedily and rapidly extends its infli 
ence, and particularly to the dorso-lumbar muscles. When th 
loins are principally affected, there is little swelling, but conside; 
able heat and tenderness ; the whole vertebral column is stiffenec 
and the animal walks as if all the articulations of the back an 
loins were anchylosed. 
When rheumatism runs its usual course, the inferior articula 
tons of the extremities swell, and encysted tumours appear in tli 
triangular space between the tibia, the tendon of the gastroc 
nemius, and the tarsus. The inflammation soon spreads from tb 
muscles to their tendinous or aponeurotic appendices, and is n< 
slow in invading the articular membranes. The malady soo 
appears to be complicated with some other affection, most fr( 
quently with gastro-enteritis, sometimes with pneumonia an 
peritonitis, and even with palsy. When peritonitis is associate 
with rheumatism, it is distinguished by the convulsive motion < 
the flanks, somewhat resembling broken wind, and the seroi 
membrane of the heart has not then escaped ; and the muscuk 
irritation having thus become connected with inflammation < 
some internal organ, we may remark, in this latter affection, ev. 
dent periods of remission and exacerbation. 
This inflammation, which is the consequence of rheumatisn 
acts in its turn on the primitive disease; so if, by the unassiste 
efforts of nature, or by the influence of proper medical treatmen 
By rheumatism, I mean inflammation of the muscular, fibrous, an 
synovial tissues.—A uthor. 
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