Pathological Anatomy. As already indicated, the general appearance of the carcase simulates that produced by a wasting disease. The visible mucous membranes are pale and anæmic, while the fleece, which appears somewhat dry and lustreless, furnishes a shroud for the extremely emaciated condition, that becomes plainly perceptible on skinning. The same anæmic condition of the subcutaneous and muscular tissues is observed on eviscerating the carcases. The lungs in most cases are the seat of a peculiar diversified inflammation, never of a remarkable extent. The external appearance of these organs is at times mottled, caused by a few congested areas, several patches of an iron-grey colour similar to areas of pneumonia during the process of absorption, and normal tissue. On section through the reddened patches, a frothy mucus may exude from the bronchioles, and in one case numerous punctiform hæmorrhages were observed on the sides of the incision. This tissue, while not so buoyant as a normal portion would be, nevertheless floats when placed in water.
The heart in all cases is pale and dull, its tissue soft and flabby, while inflamed areas, more or less penetrating, are present at times on the epicardium about the auricular appendages, and at other times on the endocardium, especially that lining the ventricles. These hæmorrhagic patches consist of either pure extravasated blood or blood mixed with serum, which gives them a more diffuse appearance and a gelatinous consistence. The pericardium is slightly thickened, and usually contains a small increase of fluid tinged with blood. The liver usually appears normal, although the gall bladder is frequently distended with pale-yellow watery bile. The kidneys are anæmic and softened. The cortex appears slightly thicker and paler than normal, and contrasts strongly with the darker pyramids. The capsule strips off easily from the parenchyma of the organ. In one instance several pale areas simulating anæmic infarcts were observed under the capsule extending into the cortex, which probably resulted from the compression of the capillaries by the swollen parenchymatous cells. The presence of albumin in the urine was detected by the nitric-acid test. The spleen appears atrophied and indurated, and on section the fibrous tissue far exceeds the splenic pulp. Attachments by fibrous adhesions may fix the spleen to the diaphragm or the neighbouring organs. The intestines may contain normal fæcal matter or semi-fluid fæces of a disagreeable odour. The surface of the mucous membrane is at times covered with a slimy mucus or plastic exudate, and the appearance is that of a chronic catarrh associated with necrosis of the mucosa.
Bacteriology. Examination of cultures and slides showed the presence of a micrococcus, usually arranged in the form of a diplococcus, which was found in pure cultures from the heart’s blood, spleen, kidneys, and pericardial fluid, and essentially so in the tubes inoculated from the other organs.
The specific organism of takosis appears in fresh bouillon cultures as a spherical or oval micrococcus with a diameter of 0·8 to 1 µ. In these cultures it is single or in chains of two, three, or four elements, but most frequently in pairs, as diplococci, with a diameter transverse to the axis of the chain greater than the longitudinal diameter.
Treatment: Prophylaxis. Sudden climatic changes should be avoided as far as possible, and when shipments of goats for breeding purposes are to be made which necessitate their transportation over considerable distances the changes should be made during the months of summer or late spring, and not in the fall or winter, when the contrast of temperature will be so much greater.
Angora goats should be provided with stables that are thoroughly dry, erected upon ground that has perfect natural drainage.
As a third measure of prevention may be mentioned careful feeding.
The segregation or isolation of all affected animals as soon as they evince any symptoms of the disease will be found a most valuable means of protection for those that remain unaffected, and a strict quarantine over all of the diseased members of the flock should be maintained so long as the disease remains upon the premises.
Medicinal treatment has proved unsatisfactory in many of the cases of takosis to which it has been applied. The best results have been derived from the administration of calomel in 0.1 gram doses twice daily for two days, followed by arsenic, iron, and quinine, as follows:
| Arsenious acid | 1·40 | grams. |
| Iron, reduced | 12·00 | „ |
| Quinine sulphate | 6·00 | „ |