Laryngitis i?i Pig. 125 



participate in the gangrene, the breath, saliva and nasal discharge 

 is fetid, and the epidermis peels, off. The snout, ears and skin 

 generally assume a bluish black hue, the prostration is extreme, 

 the creature lying constantly on its side ; the pain ceases and in 

 one or two days death ensues, preceded by a state of comparative 

 calmness. 



On opening the throat after death the mucous membrane is en- 

 gorged and thickened, bears various hues of black, blue, livid 

 and green, and breaks dov\^n into a pulpy mass under slight pres- 

 sure. The surrounding (pharyngeal) muscles even are impli- 

 cated in this change. In the earlier stages there is only engorge- 

 ment with blood of the tonsils and the mucous membrane of the 

 pharynx and larynx ; serous infiltration of the surrounding 

 parts, and often the presence of inspissated mucus resembling 

 false membranes or of ulcers on the surface. 



Treatment. In the earlier stages, hygienic measures alone 

 may suffice to check. A warm, dry, comfortable piggery, emol- 

 lient and astringent drinks, such as sheep's head broth, oatmeal 

 and other gruels acidulated with vinegar or buttermilk, an emetic 

 (six grains of tartar emetic) ; a dose of physic (four croton 

 beans powdered and given in the food, or from two to three ounces of 

 castor oil), and if the patient will permit it a flannel bandage or 

 piece of sheepskin round the throat. If the symptoms are more 

 threatening it is recommended to bleed from the ears and tail ; to 

 apply a linseed meal poultice round the throat to hasten the 

 formation of abscess, or in the absence of such indications to em- 

 ploy a mustard poultice made with spirits of turpentine, or rugs 

 wrung out of boiling water, to the same part. I^ocal astringent 

 and caustic applications to the throat are the most promising, ap- 

 plied by means of a whalebone prob as recommended for other 

 animals, the mouth being held open by a noose round the upper 

 jaw. Sodium sulphite, silver nitrate, potassium permanganate, 

 hydrochloric acid diluted, and tincture of iodine, may be em- 

 ployed. 



When the gangrenous stage has been reached all treatment is 

 useless. 



