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the ears of irregular heat; remission of the fever takes place, sometimes once a day, in
other cases in two days. This also is observable of the purging in a few cases; the breathing
becomes short and quick, and pulse quick and tremulous; expression of face is that of dull pain
and congestion about the head : the flies swarm about the eyes, mouth, and nostrils, and as
appeared in my post-mortem examinations, readily deposit their ova on the inner edge of
eyelid and nostril. In milk cows the secretion is early diminished, gradually becoming less,
but rarely entirely suspended; it is, however, of inferior quality and slightly altered in colour,
as if mixed with the serum of the blood. In some cases symptom of abdominal pain occur,
getting up and lying down at times, boring the head into flanks and cold sweats; in others
there is strong evidence of the lungs being involved: the breathing is catching and abdominal,
and auscultation gives an increased harsh sound over the region of the larger Bronchiæ. Towards
the lower part of the Trachea and bifurcation of the tube the mucus rale is very distinct. Tym-
panitis of the first stomach is a common symptom, but never to a great extent, and is owing to
the suspension of rumination, which latter took place at the commencement of the disease ;
the food in the stomach ferments and decomposes, giving off gas in the process. If tapped
the gas still continues to form, unless some strong stimulants is passed in through the Cannula.
Tenesmus is now present, and the motions are frequently mixed with blood; in other cases the
discharges are like dirty water, and come away with sudden violence, discharged almost
involuntarily. By this time the animal has become extremely offensive, her motions and
breath taint the surrounding atmosphere to a nauseating degree, and in the majority of
cases death now rapidly ensues from exhaustion and depraved blood."
Such are the symptoms noticed and detailed by Mr. Rutherford; he has condensed them
into the following as " diagnostic symptoms."
1st.—Total refusal of drinks, also of food, and this from the earliest stage of the
complaint.
2nd.—Disagreeable fetid breath.
3rd.—The finger placed backwards on the tongue can detect the slightest fetor; generally
this is unnecessary, as the saliva which dribbles from the mouth affords ample evidence
of the fact.
4th.—No eruption on teats or soreness of feet.
5th.—Diarrhœa of a fetid character early setting in.
6th.—Scanty high coloured urine.
7th.—Fever of a remittent form.
8th.—Disease averaging from two to eleven days, four days averaged in fatal cases ;
convalescence protracted to many weeks.
9th.—Inflammation of Pharynx and base of tongue.
10th.—Tenesmus and Dysentery, at times choleraic evacuations. These symptoms,
thus carefully noted by Mr. Rutherford, tally with the observations made by Mr. Greenhill,
v. s , and by many non-professional observers who watched the progress and symptoms of the
disease with minute attention. Amongst these Mr. Floyd has written a most clear and
able description of the Epizootic, as it first attacked and made its way through his farm-yard,
This account is so full of interest that we venture to give it in extenso. Mr. Floyd writes :
" I sent several cows to the late Exhibition at Alipore, and they were all in good health
when they left my farm-yard. A day or two before the prizes were awarded, I observed that
my best cow was failing in milk and would not eat (all) the food that was given to her. I
attributed it to her being in a strange place. The following day she appeared afraid and
anxious to leave the stall, quite regardless of her calf. In the afternoon an Up-country cow
died in an adjoining stall, and in the neighbouring stalls several belonging to Mr. Apcar and
others were reported to have refused their food. A few days prior to this, one of two cows
that had come from Chowringhee sickened and died. The death of the Up-country cow
above alluded to, induced me to suppose that something serious was about to happen, and
I obtained permission to remove my cows. The change, however, did my cow no good, she
was still fretful, and in about a couple of days became very dull; the ears drooped, saliva ran
from the mouth, and eyes became inflamed. I then sent her away from the farm and had
her treated by natives ; they said she had the "Matha:" whatever it was, her calf took the
disease and died first. The cow being a strong animal lingered for about eight days : Diarrhœa
came on and she died. For a week or longer everything went on well, and I fancied that
I had acted wisely in having sent the diseased cow out of the farm. Another valuable cow,
however, fell sick, and in a few weeks every cow and calf belonging to me fell a victim
to the disease.
I tried everything that man could devise, separating the healthy from the sick, keeping
them perfectly clean, fumigating their houses, not sparing lime; giving those too ill to eat
gram, &c., arrowroot, suttoo, and boiled rice, recommended by Natives. During the first stage
I tried purgatives with some, but in none could I perceive the slightest improvement for a
single day; the symptoms were the same in every case, only some cows died in five days,
others in eight or ten. The coat of my cows became rough, but there were no pustules visible,
the mouth and throat appeared inflamed, and the eyes became mattery after the redness sub-
sided, which was generally in about three days.