2,32 SWINE DISEASES 



the animals are maintained in clean quarters the simple 

 uncomplicated lesions will heal in from ten days to three 

 weeks. If the animals are maintained in muddy, filthy 

 pens secondary infections frequently arise and the hoof 

 may slough and the animals die of septic infection. Very 

 rarely a general vesiculo-papular eruption may occur on 

 large areas of the skin. 



Symptoms. The most pronounced symptoms of 

 foot-and-mouth disease in hogs consist in lameness; the 

 principal lesions being found on the feet. The animals 

 have a disinclination to move and because of the soreness 

 tend to assume a decubital position. If the animals are 

 forced to move they will probably walk upon their toes. 

 The lesions in various stages of progress may be observed 

 at this time by inspection. If the disease is of a virulent 

 type there will be systemic disturbances consisting of rise 

 of temperature, inappetence, listlessness or dullness. If 

 the buccal mucous membrane is involved, there will be 

 more or less of salivation and disinclination to eat. 



Course and Prognosis. This disease usually runs 

 its course in from one to three weeks, although it may 

 progress for a longer period. The disease is ordinarily 

 not fatal if uncomplicated in the hogs, although the 

 financial value of the animals is considerably depreciated 

 because of the fact that they rapidly emaciate. 



Treatment. Thus far no treatment has been found 

 that will curtail the course of the disease. Animals that 

 have had the disease possess an immunity for a short 

 time, probably not longer than six months or a year. 

 The disease is of such a destructive nature in so far as 

 the value of the animals is concerned, that it has always 

 been considered advisable to destroy the animals and dis- 

 infect the premises along with the proper disposal of the 

 carcasses to insure destruction of all available virus. 



Because of the extent of the 1914 outbreak in the 

 United States, it is possible that new centers of the disease 

 may make its appearance at almost any time and veteri- 

 narians should familiarize themselves with this disease. 



