6 The Bulletin 



is a tendency towards constipation which is followed in a few days by 

 a very fetid diarrhea. In light skin hogs, and at times in dark skin 

 hogs, a red or purple discoloration of the skin can be detected along the 

 belly between the fore legs and at the base of the ears. This symptom 

 is not always present but is frequently seen. When cholera is suspected, 

 it is well to secure a clinical thermometer and take the temperature of 

 a number of those hogs that are eating and apparently well. 



We frequently find in a herd where there has been one or more sick 

 hogs for several days a number of the hogs apparently well showing a 

 temperature as high as 104 to 107 degrees Fahrenheit, and even higher. 

 Hogs affected with cholera will often carry these high temperatures from 

 three to five days and appear to be entirely healthy, but are ready to 

 come down with an acute form of cholera. The normal temperature of 

 a hog is from 101 to 102 degrees Fahrenheit. 



Owing to the high temperature, lack of appetite and general depres- 

 sion, vomiting, thumps, quick or jerky breathing is frequent. The 

 niuco-purulent secretion from the eyes often becomes so heavy that the 

 eyelids are adhered together causing the hog to become blind. 



The most striking difference between the acute and chronic form of 

 cholera is the duration of the disease. In the chronic form the tem- 

 perature is not so high. The hog may continue to eat a little every 

 day but becomes unthrifty and emaciated and may linger along in this 

 condition for three or four weeks before dying. The acute form us- 

 ually terminates in death between the eighth and fourteenth day. 



When there is any doubt of the sick hogs being affected with cholera, 

 a post-mortem examination should be made on one of the sick hogs in 

 order to make an accurate diagnosis. 



PosT-MoRTEM Appearances. 



Skin. — A close examination of the skin will show red or purple spots 

 along the belly, between the fore and hind legs and at the base of the 

 ears; this is especially so in light skin hogs. In chronic cases the skin 

 may become dry and hard and slough out in places. The ears and tail 

 may also slough off. 



Stomach. — The mucous membrane or inner lining of the stomach may 

 be very much inflamed and red, frequently showing evidence of ulcers. 



Lymphatic Glands. — Enlarged, congested, showing hemorrhagic spots 

 when cut open. Of these glands receiving special attention in hog 

 cholera are the mesenteric glands, or those along the intestines ; lumbar 

 and retroperitoneal are those lying near the back wall of the abdominal 

 cavity; the lymphatic glands found near the angle of the jaw; the medi- 

 astinal and bronchial glands in the region of the heart and lungs, and 

 the inguinal glands found beneath the skin high upon the inside of the 

 thigh. 



Intestines. — The inner lining, or the mucous membrane of the intes- 

 tines, especially near the ilco-cecal valve, the place where the small in- 

 testine opens into the large intestine, may be congested and covered 

 with small red spots. At this point in the intestine it is not uncommon 

 to see ulcers varying in size and shape. One of the most constant is the 

 somewhat circular button-shaped uleer standing out from the surround- 



