529
Post-mortem Examination,
The skin and subcutaneons tissues over the point of inoculation were deeply congested, with extensive hæmorrhagic extravasation. Lying deeply in the sub- cutaneons tissues were found the remains of the blood inoculated. There was no necrosis or breaking down of tissue in or about the area of inoculation. From this focus of inoculation, the congestion and hæmorrhagic infiltration of the tissues spread almost over the entire left side of the body, extensive extravasations of blood had occurred into and along the muscular sheaths. The pericardium was slightly reddened. Numerous petechia of varying size were present in the epicar- dium. The visceral layer was normal. The trachea was normal, the lungs con- gested and all the mediastinal lymphatic glands were deeply hæmorrhagic. The liver was jaundiced and slightly fatty. Thick tenaceous bile was found in the gall bladder, the sac itself being normal. The spleen was normal in size and appear- ance. The rumen, reticulum and omasum presented nothing abnormal. The abomasum was deeply congested throughout its whole length. More or less ex- tensive extravasations of blood were found scattered throughout the mucous mem- brane. Varying sized ulcers, rounded in shape, with ragged edges were numerous. In the majority of cases the centre of these ulcers was occupied by a mass of necrosed tissue. The duodenum and small intestine were much congested, but not ulcerated. The cæcum was deeply inflamed and presented many hæmorrhagic foci with ulceration and necrosis. The large intestine was generally congested with streaky hemorrhages along the summits of the ruge. There was no ulcera- tion or necrosis. The rectum was intensely inflamed but not ulcerated. The kidneys and bladder were normal. The mesenteric lymphatic glands were deeply hæmorrhagic. The peripheral lymphatic system was profoundly affected, the pre- scapular, precrural, and superficial inguinal glands on both sides of body being intensely hæmorrhagic.
The submaxillary and parotid glands were similarly affected.
The bacteriological examination of the blood, organs and lymphatic glands showed the presence of large numbers of typical diplo-coccoid looking bacilli the majority of which were agglomerated into staphylo-coccoid like clumps.
HEIFER CALF “E.”
The animal was placed under observation for two days previous to the com- mencement of the experiment. The temperature varied between 101.3° F. and 102.5° F. The animal appeared to be in perfect health.
On the 29th of September, 1903, the animal was fed with a bouillon culture of the bacillus. The micro-organism used for this purpose was isolated in pure culture from a typical case of the disease. It was grown for 5 days in neutral peptone bouillon, a luxuriant growth with abundant deposit being obtained. Altogether about 250 c.c. of this culture was poured over the animal's throat.
On the afternoon of the 5th day after feeding, the animal gave a temperature of 103-8° F. No other symptoms was noticeable at this period.
On the afternoon of the next day a temperature of 105° F. was reached. In addition to this rise in temperature, slight rigors could be seen.
The animal, however, fed well, etc., and showed no signs of distress.
On the 7th of October, the rigors were more pronounced. In addition, the conjunctival, nasal, and vaginal mucous membranes were congested.
On the 8th of October, there appeared a distinct discharge from the eyes, nose and vagina. There were marked rigors and inuscular twitchings of the neck, shoulders, and thighs.
On the 9th October, diarrhoea commenced. The discharge was of the usual thin, black and offensive character, showing here and there traces of blood.
The diarrhoea gradually increased in severity, and blood and mucus became more and more in evidence. From this stage onwards the animal obviously sunk fast, and on the afternoon of the 12th of October, was killed in extremis.
It was considered judicious to kill the animal at this stage as it was obvious that life could not be prolonged until morning. Supposing death had taken place during the night a satisfactory necropsy would have been impossible owing to the rapid onset of decomposition.