symptoms, varies from three to nine days. The
first sign is a very high fever, which may reach 107 deg. F. The heat of the
skin varies in different parts of the body, and may be felt at the base of
the ears and horns. Repeated chills are frequently observed. The pulse
reaches 50 to 60 beats a minute, and in very severe attacks may rise to 90
or 100.

The animal manifests great debility. The head droops and rests on some
object of support. One or both ears may droop. The coat is staring and the
muzzle dry. The secretion of milk diminishes very rapidly. Within twelve to
twenty hours the usual quantity may have become reduced one-half or
two-thirds. The back is arched, and the four limbs are brought together
under the body.

As the disease progresses, symptoms with reference to the digestive and
respiratory organs become prominent. The mucous membrane of the mouth and
the nose, as well as that of the rectum and vagina, becomes reddened,
either in patches or diffusely, and assumes a scarlet hue. The discharges,
at first firm, become softer, and soon diarrhea sets in. This is said to be
one of the most constant symptoms. The rectum may become everted and
paralyzed, and the bowels move spontaneously. The discharges become fetid,
viscid, and streaked with blood. Coughing is a common symptom, and by some
is considered characteristic. It is associated with discharges from the
nose and vagina and dribbling of saliva from the mouth. The eyes also are
affected. There is an increased formation of a viscid secretion which flows
down the face.

Another series of changes prominent in some epizootics and mild or absent
in others are the ulcers, or so-called "erosions," in the mouth. These
begin as red patches and streaks. The mucous membrane in such localities is
converted into a grayish-white slough, which, when shed, leaves a small
erosion, or ulcer. At the same time similar changes may go on in the skin
of the thighs, the udder, or the scrotum, or about the vagina, which lead
to small sloughs.

In severe cases, which are the most common in the susceptible cattle of
western Europe, death ensues four to seven days after the first appearance
of the disease, and is preceded by great emaciation and debility, fetid,
purulent discharges from the nose and mouth, and the relaxed rectum and
vagina.

After death, if the animal is opened and the organs carefully examined, the
chief changes are found in the digestive organs. The lining memb