A moderate hypertrophy is the rule in the case of cattle which have
passed through the Southern cattle fever, but have continued to live
within the area of its prevalence. Gamgee’s observations in 1868 were
very conclusive on this point. In over 1,000 western cattle the average
weight of the spleen was 1.45 ℔., in 441 Cherokee (Indian Territory)
cattle the average was 2.34 ℔s., and in 262 Texas cattle the average was
2.66 ℔s. All these animals were killed for beef, in what was considered
to be perfect health. The difference relative to the weight of the
entire animal is even greater than is indicated above, for at that date
even more than at present, the Texas steer was a small and thin animal
in comparison with the portly western bullock.
In lymphadenoma the organ may weigh 24 ℔s. (Tannenhauser); in simple
hypertrophy it has been found to weigh 37 ℔s. (Koch). There was usually
a marked increase in the size and number of the Paccinian bodies, and
hyperplasia of the fibrous reticulum, while the pulp might be deficient
and the cut surface rather dry. The adjacent lymph glands are usually
enlarged.
_Symptoms._ Unless in the case of excessive increase, no symptom is
usually observable, apart from leucocythæmia. With enormous hypertrophy
the enlarged organ may be recognized by palpation, percussion, and
perhaps rectal exploration.
_Treatment_ is unsatisfactory apart from the control and arrest of the
primary diseases. For simple hypertrophy, bitters, laxatives and
electricity may be tried.