Typhoid Fever in Pigs. 487 



Having observed tlio tTiscasc in the early as well as in tlie more 

 advanced stage, and examined all tbe connecting links between the two 

 extremes, he nevertheless felt that he had a very great deal indeed 

 to learn with regard to the true pathology of the disease. He con- 

 sidered that it was allied to typhoid fever, whilst analogous to, and 

 partaking of, the nature of diphtheria. The symptoms had been most 

 accurately described by Dr. Budd ; and it was imj)ortaut that farmers 

 should early recognise their existence. There could be no doubt that 

 in many cases the animals showed indications of headache. They vv^ero 

 ill at ease, and he had heard it said that as soon as they were attacked, 

 there was a peculiar pricking up of their ears. In some instances they 

 loathed food ; and in all cases the appetite was fastidious, if it were 

 not entirely lost. The breathing was not much disturbed, and the 

 pulse gave little or no sign of the malignancy of the disease. As a 

 rule, the body was very hot, particularly in some places, and usually, 

 but not invariably, the extremities were cold. At the commencement 

 the bowels were constipated, whatever might be the kind of food on 

 which the animals lived. Later in the disease, certainly on the- 

 third day, diarrhoea supervened ; the evacuations were of a peculiar 

 character ; not copious, but constant — a teaspoouful at a time ten times 

 in an hour. The feculent matter having passed off, the fluid dis- 

 charged contained a quantity of broken-uj) Ij^mph, which was of a dirty 

 white, and proceeded from the scabs in the intestinal canal. 



With regard to the discolouration of the skin of the black pig, it was 

 difficult perhaps to say, when the vessels of the skin were congested ; 

 but if the skin was particularly hot and unusually dark, he thought 

 it might be inferred that there was a determination of blood to the 

 vessels of the skin. With reference to the duration of the disorder, he 

 had never himself seen it j)rotracted beyond seven or eight days. 

 There was no doubt that it produced death speedily, and that, sjoeak- 

 ing generally, its dm-ation was remarkably short. As to the spread of 

 the affection from the pig to other animals, he did not think there was 

 the least risk of that ; for it was a singular fact, which science might 

 one day throw light upon, that there were certain victims to certain 

 special poisons, and that a disease which would kill the ox could 

 not be spread to the sliecp, and the contrary. In regard to the means 

 of preventing the affection, of course the sooner the disease was 

 recognised and the animals were got rid of the better. By that means 

 a large source of mischief was cut off. Cleanliness could not be too 

 strictly insisted on. The places where the pigs had been kej^t should 

 be thoroughly washed-floors, walls, and drains ; and no sound animals 

 should be put there for weeks after the others had left. As a medical 

 means of preventing the disease, ho had found great benefit to result 

 from the use of small quantities of a very homely remedy, namely, 

 sulphur, on account of its antiseptic action. It should be put into the 

 animals' food twice or thrice in the week. In treating the disease, 

 sulphite of soda should be freely used. 



Mr. Freee suggested that carbolic acid, being an antiseptic, might 

 be useful. 



Professor Coleman mentioned that he had been lately informed of 



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