The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1884-03-22
CONTINUED.
CONTAGIOUS PLEURO PNEUMONIA
COURSE AND TERMINATION OF THE LIS.


COURSE AND TERMINATION OF THE LIS.
EASE.
AS this disease is most virulent during
the summer, the mortality is not only
high, but early. Cattle will die after
few days illness, from the great prostra-
ton attendant on the enormous efusion
into the organs of the chest, the impair
ment of the breathing, and the suspen.
sion of the vital functions of the system.
Others die early from the over distention
of the stomach with gas. In others, the
profuse diarrhea helps to speedily wear
cut the vital powers, and when they as
sumo the colliquative character, soon
carry off the suffering animal. In severe
cases that survive, the loss of flesh is
rapid. Sometimes the animal loses one
third Of its weight in few weeks. Some
cases have been seen where they have
lost one half their weight, within
month after the first severe SYMPTOMS
manifested themselves. In fatal cases,
where the course of the disease is more
moderate, the symptoms become more in.
tense as the disease runs on. The pulse
becomes quickened and weakened, and
finally almost imperceptible, the breath
ing becomes rapid, quickened, and la
bored, the mucous membranes become
paler and paler, until they appear as if
bloodless, the cough changes from a
quick husky cough, to long cavernous
one, the groans become more frequent
as the breathing becomes rapid. In
other cases, especially in cold weather, a
portion of the diseased lung may become
encysted, and slowly liquify. This ami
NAL may go on for weeks and months
doing badly, only to sink at last into
such state of debility, that death en-
sues from exhaustion and weakness. The
retention of such diseased portion of
lung tissue in the system, and the con-
sequent debility, may determine the ap-
pearance of consumption tuberculosis
which cuts off the animal. ,Rupturing
of assesses into the chest,as well as pur-
uleht Infection, are other causes of death
in this disease, but are of very rare oc-
currence. In cases about to recover, the
symptoms gradually subside. The ap-
petite returns, and more or less rapid
recovery takes place. In the most favor
able cases, the oxidation becomes grad
ually re-absored. In others, mass of
lung is entirely lost, being Invested Of
its vitality. enclosed in fibrous cyst,
and is slowly liquifed and absorbed for
a period Of several months. These cases
continue to do poorly for a long while,
and may yet apparently recover, when
fed on soft nutritious diet, sometimes fat
tening and become fit to be killed for
human food.
| Will not write a minute description
OF the LESSONS of this disease in the
lungs, chest, etc, because to thoroughly
understand them, one must be CONVEX
SAINT with the principles and studies Of
pathology; and as we have roughly de-
scribed the LESSONS of the disease, as they
occurred when speaking of the symp-
TOMS in the various stages, will pass
over them and take up the question of
the nature of this dreadful disease.
NATURE OF THE DISEASE.
That the disease is determined by an
injecting material, being conveyed from
one beast TO another, there can be no
doubt. The nature of this material, has
never been definitely determined. No
| special anatomical or chemical element,
or specific organisms, either of animal
Or vegetable origia, has been detected as
constant in the diseased organ. Yet, the
presence of the specific contagium is
| demonstrated i'll the previous articles, as
we'll as i'll the curative value of inocula-
ton, to be referred to hereafter. When
the injecting material is first lodged on
raw surface of some other part of the
body lhan the lungs, the lungs rarely
are affected, thus differing from most
specific disease poisons, which have a
definite seat of election, in which their
diseased processes are invariably esta5-
llShed, no matter i'll what way they gain
access to the body. Since this lung dis
ease, coutagion, does not usually affect
the lungs when introduced by some other
channel, it follows that almost of neces-
sity, that when it does attack the lungs,
it must have come in contact with the
lungs directly; if by being inhaled in
the air, it will fall upon one or two
points-the air tubes or the air cells
and there begin its balefu course. This
is exactly in accordance with the early
LESSONS found in animals, dying in the
first stages of the disease.
When there has been extensive exuda,
tions into the lungs and plural cavities2
as described in my last article, and where
apparent recovery seems to take place,
it is either due to nature enclosing such
exudates (encysting), or to the absorb
ton of the exudates into the system; or
else, the forming of tubercles.
TREATMENT.
The administration of drugs and med
icines, to check the course and progress
of this disease, is useless. Many cases
of SO called Pleuro- Pneumonia, which are
said TO be cured by active medicines, are
merely eases of indigestion. AS have
before stated, much good may be done,
and many animals tided over the critical
stage, by the enlightened supervision of
veterinary surgeon, but it is worse than
useless, for anyone to try to cut short the
progress of the disease. All the symp-
toms of indigestion, when they occur.
must be properly treated, and thereby
CONTINUED On FOURTH PACE