24 
The Bulletin 
the resting position (shown in Fig. K), in which the feet are folded 
under the body and the jaw resting upon the ground, or it falls pros¬ 
trate on its side with legs outstretched (Fig. L). Trembling continues 
for some little time after the animal has lain down. 
Three or four days after trembling is first noted, it is not uncommon 
for the animal to topple from a standing posture to one flat upon its 
side. Coma appears in the 24 or 48 hours preceding dissolution. 
d. In Guinea Pigs .—The disease is first apparent in guinea pigs by 
their refusal to eat. They are less active than unaffected animals and 
crouch in a corner of the cage. The hair upon the head and neck of 
sick animals does not lie down smoothly and their eyes remain only 
partially open. When such an animal is disturbed, it walks with the 
back arched. As the disease progresses, they become more listless, 
refuse all food, and become emaciated in consequence. Commonly 
diarrheal symptoms are present. Muscular tremors occur, hut are not 
easily apparent since the animals cannot be made to stand nor to walk. 
Finally stupor sets in, at which stage they are very limp, with insuffi¬ 
cient control of their limbs to enable them to rise when placed on their 
side. The half-closed eyes and general debility as indicated by the 
droop of the ear and posture are shown in a comatose animal in Fig. H. 
e. In Man .—Several excellent descriptions of milksickness in man 
have appeared, in all of which the symptomatology appears to accord 
fairly uniformly. In the accounts of Coleman (1822), Graff (1841), 
Byford (1855), and Way (1893), attention is directed to the most 
typical symptom, “sick stomach.” 
The onset of the disease is gradual, and after a day or two of weak¬ 
ness and debility, accompanied by loss of appetite, the patient is seized 
with epigastric distress. Excessive vomiting follows, the bowels are 
obstinately constipated, and there is always great thirst, although the 
water taken is vomited immediately. Abdominal pain is generally pres¬ 
ent, although some writers record an absence of distress in this region,, 
and muscular tremors are generally present. The breath acquires a 
peculiar foul odor, a characteristic which some regard as of great diag¬ 
nostic value, since they maintain that it can he detected immediately 
upon entering the patient’s room. The tongue is swollen. Respiration 
is normal and temperature is usually subnormal, ranging from 97 to 98 
degrees F., although McCall (1822), Simon (1875) and a few others 
state that fever exists. If the disease is severe, symptoms of typhoid 
may appear. The patient may become delirious, but in fatal cases a 
period of coma precedes dissolution. In such cases, death may come 
as early as two days after the onset of symptoms or may be deferred 
for two or three weeks. Lasting debility appears to be a common sequel 
