96 SWINE DISEASES 



Lesions. Accumulation of blood in the thorax 

 characterizes this condition. The blood may be coagu- 

 lated, but it usually remains in the fluid state until the 

 thorax is opened. The quantity of blood will depend 

 upon the nature of the injury and the length of time 

 elapsing after its infliction. If the hemorrhage is of 

 long standing, pigmentation of the pleura may be the 

 only evidence remaining. 



Symptoms. The majority of animals affected with 

 hemothorax show no symptoms. There may be paleness 

 of the visible mucous membranes, weakness of the animal, 

 and difficult breathing due to compression of the lung, 

 but these symptoms are evident only in those cases 

 in which the hemorrhage is extensive. 



Treatment. Medicinal treatment is of no value. 



Pneumothorax 



This is characterized by the accumulation of air in the 

 thoracic cavity, a condition extremely rare in swine. 

 The usual cause of the condition is injury in which the 

 lung tissue is lacerated. The injury most frequently 

 consists of fracture of a rib occasioned by improper hand- 

 ling in transportation. 



The principal lesion observed consists of the primary 

 injury. The thorax is found to contain air, and the lung 

 is compressed. 



Pleurisy 



Pleurisy is inflammation of the pleura and may be 

 serous, fibrinous, hemorrhagic, or purulent; acute or 

 chronic. It is not a common condition among swine, at 

 least in so far as the clinical recognition of it is concerned. 



Acute Pleurisy 



Etiology. Acute pleurisy is practically always the 

 result of infection, although there are many predisposing 

 factors that are active in diminishing resistance and thus 

 increasing the possibility of successful infection. The 



