452 
J. SCHMIDT. 
couple of days, and especially the oft-occurring sudden recov¬ 
eries ; for if such a pathogenic bacterium became parasitic 
in the uterus it would scarcely lose its virulenee in so short a 
time. 
The causative bacteria could also possibly be one which 
usually has an existence in the body and be one of the many 
forms which normally occur in the alimentary canal, and which, 
through the event of an exciting cause, during or after birth, 
find a favorable opportunity for acquiring a pathogenic charac¬ 
ter. 
It is very improbable, however, that an exalted milk secre¬ 
tion, which produces so effective a disposition to calving-fever, 
could bring about such an exciting cause, for each is indeed 
equally dependent upon normal digestive functions. And since 
the uterus becomes in part functionless after birth, it cannot well 
induce digestive derangements. For, as we have already seen, 
no such changes in the cireulatory functions occur as could ex¬ 
ert any profound influenee upon other parts than the genital 
organs. If the disease could have its genesis in any form of 
bacteria normally existing in the alimentary canal, it is highly 
probable also that now and then the affeetion would occur inde¬ 
pendently of birth, with which act it is however as a rule con¬ 
nected. 
We can also attempt to trace the loeation of such pathoge¬ 
nic bacteria to the udder. In severe and still more in appar¬ 
ently light cases of acute mastitis there does indeed occur now 
and then concurrent affection of other organs similar to those 
observed in ealving-fever. Fspecially is this true of the nervous 
system and the digestive organs, which indicate their sympathy 
through more or less evident paresis, foetid diarrhoea, or firm 
crust-like dung mixed with mucus.* 
It can scarcely be doubted that the paresis in such cases is 
due to poisonous products derived from tissue changes taking 
place in the udder, but whether these products are the result of 
* Vrd. H. J. Tobiassen, Maanedsskrift f. Dyrlager, Bd. 8, 8, 94 and L. C. Villum- 
sen, daselbst S. 243. 
