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pairs on the tip of the tongue, and sometimes a degeneration of the epithelium,
which at a later date separates from the deeper part of the membrane, leaving
superficial circumscribed ulcers.
(ii). The appetite usually ceases with the supervention of fever in the
horse, but this disease is an extraordinary exception to the rule. In most cases
from the very outset of the disease until death, which may occur weeks or even
months later, the animal may never cease to eat all the food placed before it, and
in numerous cases under my own observation, the bedding has been devoured
during the hours of the night, the temperature at the time being 41.2°C.(106.1°F.)
or even as high as 42°C.(107.6°F.). Evans remarks " some cases at last drop down
and die suddenly, perhaps when they are eating and enjoying food * * * while other
cases linger for days after they are down, too weak to rise or to stand after they are
helped up, but go on eating all the grass they get, and much of the corn until
they die."
" The appetite is excessive throughout the attack ; it is remarkable how the
animal in a state of semi-coma will continue to eat grass almost without ceasing
* * * Some patients stand and feed to the very last, and then drop dead." (Steele).
The following extract from the Report of the London Fever Hospital for
1843, has reference to Relapsing Fever of that year :—
" A peculiarity, very novel in character, was an inordinate desire for food ;
this desire, so very unusual in fever, was all but universal. In some instances it
was so uncontrollable, that no representation of the danger of indulgence, produc-
ed the slightest effect in pacifying the minds of the patients ; but many insisted
on leaving the hospital long before their convalescence was sufficiently advanced,
declaring that they preferred running all risks to enduring their constant sense
of starvation. Several of these were brought back to the hospital in a few days,
having relapsed into a hopeless state of fever. "
(iii). Gurgling.—From a very early period, gurgling is present. In fact it
would not be overstepping the truth to say, that this is a marked symptom in
every case of this disease. It is frequently so pronounced as to be audible at
some distance away from the animal.
(iv). Meteorism is an occasional symptom, which at times becomes
sufficiently severe to require special treatment, but a brisk saline purgative is
usually found to give great relief, though in some instances the symptom per-
sists in spite of treatment.
(v). Constipation.—The rule is that the bowels are constipated, although
diarrhoea coming on late in the disease is an occasional symptom. Vide case XX.
(vi). Character of the stools.—The stools retain for some time their natural
colour and consistence, but frequently become lighter than normal. At a later
period they are usually coated with a layer of mucus of a light brown colour, the
dung balls presenting a glazed appearance, or at times may be tinged with blood.
On microscopical examination of the brown mucus it is found to contain epithe-
lium and a large number of colourless octohedral or polyhedral crystals. Towards
the termination of a case, occasionally the dung becomes semi-solid or pultaceous
in consistency, and then emits a very foul odour.
(vii). Jaundice.—Tinging of the membranes is a very constant symptom in
every case at one period or another. It sometimes is a very early one, and at
others does not make its appearance until well on in the disease. It may be
evanescent in character, appearing with each paroxysm and gradually fading
during the intermission, until the membranes become perfectly free and pallid,
only to return with each exacerbation of the fever. In a second series of cases
the colour is intense, and persists until death, when the tissues of the body will
be found to present a deep crude gamboge colour. Even when there is little or
no tinging of the mucous membranes at the time of death, the gelatinous exuda-
tion found so constantly in this disease, is always more or less tinged from a
light yellow to a deep orange colour, and the material surrounding the base of
the heart may be specially mentioned as being one of the most certain localities to:
observe it.