the entire intestinal wall is then much
thicker than normal and the tissue infiltrated with an inflammatory
exudate. The mucous membrane or inside lining membrane is markedly wrinkled
or corrugated, showing large, coarse folds with more or less reddening or
hemorrhagic patches or spots on the summits of the ridges, especially
noticeable in the large intestines. The mesenteric lymph glands are usually
somewhat enlarged and appear watery on section. The other organs do not
appear to be affected except from the anemia present in the later stages of
the disease.
_Differential diagnosis._--The principal disease with which bacterial
dysentery may be confused is tuberculosis, but the application of the
tuberculin test will readily diagnose the latter disease, while no reaction
will be noted in case the injected animal is suffering with the former
affection. The disease may also be mistaken for the parasitic affections
resulting from stomach worms (verminous gastritis) and intestinal
parasites, especially uncinariasis, but a microscopic examination of the
feces is necessary in order to establish definitely the diagnosis.
_Treatment._--As with all other forms of infectious disease, it is
advisable to separate immediately the diseased and suspected cattle from
the healthy animals. The feces passed by the former animals should be
placed on cultivated soil where healthy cattle will not be exposed to them,
as the bacilli producing the disease are readily found in such manure. The
stalls, stables, and barnyards should also be thoroughly disinfected, as
has been described under "Tuberculosis," in this chapter, special attention
being given to those places which have been soiled by feces. The
administration of medicines has thus far been quite unsatisfactory,
although treatment should be directed toward disinfecting the intestines
with intestinal antiseptics, such as tannopin in 1 dram doses twice daily,
and strengthening the animal by the use of stimulants such as strychnin in
half-grain doses given twice daily hypodermically. Salol, turpentine, or
subnitrate of bismuth in a starch or wheat-flour gruel may also give
temporary relief, but the diarrhea is likely to reappear and cause the
death of the animal. In all cases the feed must be carefully selected to
assure good quality, and should consist preferably of nutritious dry feed.
NAGANA.
Nagana, also called tsetse-fly disease, is an infectious fever occurring
chiefly in hors
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