The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1882-08-17
LATE LOCAL NEWS.
The Cattle Plague.
Communicated

Owing to the ravages of the cattle
plague in the East and its rapid spread
ing, it might be interesting to stock
raisers to understand the nature, course
and fatality of this disease.
Spleenic apOplexy consists in an en-
largement of the spleen with blood,
which interrupts its vital fupctiOn and
causes disease.
Recent researches have thrown some
light upon this disease, but there is still
large field for investigation. 1t is a
blood disease, the constituents of which
are changed to a considerable extent.
The blood from various causes under
goes peculiar changes, and is brought to
a standstill in the spleen.
1t is now held by the best authorities
that it is due to the presence of the
bacillus anthrasis," small spores which
enter the blood either through the di-
gestive system or wound.
The exciting causes are changing from
poor to rich food, deficient supply Of
water, water containing large per-
centage of solid matter, turning the an
imal on low, damp land in hot weather,
feeding on turnips grown upon certain
soils, ETC., etc.
The symptoms are very alarming and
of short duration. An animal may be
apparently in perfect health at night
Rg
have been affected for some time, for it
is-nOticed that the temperature is in
creased before other symptoms are
shown, and after the pain increases the
temperature becomes less than natural.
The animal suddenly goes off its feed,
TuminatiOn Is suspended, there are rig
Ors and trembling, partial sweats bedeW
the body, which are alternately hot and
cold; when standing the back is arched,
the legs stiff and rigid, looks to its
flanks, falls into commissions, the heart
beats with violence against the thoracic
walls, pulse is rapid, irregular and
sometimes double, breathing accelerated
and stertOriOuS, the head becomes af-
fected in various ways, sometimes COM
atOse, at others commissions; will some
times below with pain; the cOnjunctiva
red and injected, reflects blackish red
tint; the tongue Is blush green and the
mouth filled with mucus.
Sometimes the excitement is so great
that it is dangerous to go near them.
The rapidity with which the symptoms
succeed each other is variable, death
taking place in the space of from few
minutes to twenty-fOur hours.
If, however, the disease is not rapid in
its course, it may be noticed that there
are various alterations in the symptoms;
in some instances an animal may be un-
well t0r S5Veral days, Su1erlng from
remittent fever; one day very ill, with
rapid, feeble pulse, painful breathing,
etc. After continuing for several hours
these symptoms may subside and the
animal commence to eat and ruminate.
The febrile symptoms, however, return
and in the end the sufferer succumbs.
Decomposition takes place very rapid
after death, so the post-mOrtem should
be made soon as possible. In doing so
great care should be taken, specially if
decomposition has taken place. 1t is not
very dangerous, but certain amount
of caution is necessary.
"Under the skin it is pale, as if bled to
death, and sometimes there is ecchymo-
sis in the intestinal canal" "The spleen
will be found enlarged and broken down
in structure, and its capsules distended
with mass of tar-like blood" If one
end of the organ be elevated the blood
will gravitate to the most dependent
part. showing that the spleenic tissue is
and that the blood is
more or less fluid, .lt
Another remarkable feature is that it
is caught from apparently healthy ami
mails, and yields to no treatment.
L. d. BLANCHARD.