VETERINARY SCIENCE AND PRACTICE. 7 15 



the conditions observed appear to harmonize well with the assumption that Grips 

 bacillus is the cause of the disease. 



It is concluded therefore that swine plague is a contagious disease affecting mostly 

 young hogs, and is especially characterized by catarrh and purulent processes. In 

 the author's opinion the Grips bacillus is the cause of the disease and infection takes 

 place chiefly through the mouth. Such infection apparently occurs mostly as the 

 result of the ingestion of infected milk. LofHer's bacillus merely causes acute com- 

 plications of the normal chronic course of swine plague. According to the author's 

 observations LofHer's bacillus may be found in 50 to 60 per cent of hogs in a healthy 

 condition and varies greatly in the degree of its virulence. 



The etiology of swine plague, Schmidt (Fortschr. Vet. Hyg., ..' ( 1904), No. 5, pp. 

 137-14-)- — As a result of his studies on swine plague, the author concludes that the 

 organism described by Loffler and Schi'itz under the name Bacillus suisepticus has 

 nothing to do with the etiology of the disease. This bacillus is considered as an 

 accessory organism nearly always present and sometimes taking part in the produc- 

 tion of a more serious lesion. In the author's opinion the organism may sometimes 

 cause a septicemia, or even an infectious pneumonia, but never epizootic swine 

 plague. 



The etiology and means of combating swine plague, R. Ostertag (Berlin. 

 Tierarztl. Wchnschr., 1004, No. 51, pp. 847-858). — In this paper the author presents 

 a critical review of the investigations and opinions of Grips, Glage, Nieberle, and 

 others regarding this disease. It is argued that the evidence presented in favor of 

 considering ( rrips bacillus as the cause of swine plague is quite unsatisfactory. 



Attention is called to the great economic importance of combating swine plague in 

 a scientific and effective manner. The annual losses from the disease are very great 

 and consequently no mistake should be made in the organization of governmental 

 plans for controlling it. 



Problem of swine plague, Schmidt ( Fortschr. Vet. Hyg., 2 (1904), No. 8, pp. 220- 

 .;.'■■: \. — The author discusses the diagnosis of swine plague from a bacteriological 

 standpoint. As a result of this study it is concluded that the diagnosis of swine 

 plague can not be reached in a reliable manner on a basis of bacteriological investi- 

 gations without other aid. 



It is possible that the mere demonstration of ovoid bacteria which take stain at 

 either end and are virulent for mice may lead to erroneous conclusions and is, there- 

 fore, of little value. It is necessary to remember that Grips bacillus and other 

 organisms may be present. In order to reach a reliable diagnosis it is necessary to 

 consider the method of introduction of the disease, the pathological findings, and 

 the course of infection. 



Bacillus pyogenes and its relation to swine plague, H. Putz (Ztschr. 

 Fleisch- u. Milchhyg., 15 (1904), No. 1, pp>. 10, 11). — Inoculation experiments were 

 carried out with Bacillus pyogenes, during which pigs received injections of this 

 organism subcutaneously, intravenously, in the pleura, peritoneum, trachea, 

 alimentary tract, and the lungs. A parallel series of inoculations was also made 

 with B. suisepticus. From these experiments it is concluded that the latter organism 

 is the true cause of swine plague, while the first-named bacillus never produces the 

 effects ascribed to it by Grips. 



Chronic diseases of the udder in hogs, Zanders (Monatsh. Prakt. Tierh., 15 

 (1904), No. 12, pp. 529-552, pis. 2) . — The literature relating to this subject is discussed 

 in a critical manner. The author had occasion to study 64 cases of chronic diseases 

 in the swine udder. These cases were obtained during the practice of meat inspec- 

 tion. Of 64 cases 2 were identified as atheroma, 4 as tuberculosis, 1 as chronic fibrous 

 mastitis, 6 as chronic purulent mastitis, and 51, or 80 per cent, as actinomycosis. 



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