DISEASES OF SWINE AND OTHER ANIMALS. 115 



sometimes as low as tJO^ F. ; seeks the simsliine or a coveiing of litter, 

 and speedily dies. Emaciation is a rapidly progressive symptom tlirougli- 

 out the entire course of the disease. 



DURATION OF THE DISEASE. 



The disorder is by no means imiform in its diuration, varying fiom a 

 few hours to many days and even weeks. When death occm*s only a 

 few hoiu'S after the attack a complication of heart disease is usually the 

 couse of the rapid termination of the case. Early fatality may occur 

 also from rapid congestion of the lungs, producing hepatization of a 

 large x)ortion of that organ. The average diu^ation of the disease can 

 be, therefore, scarcely approximated. Perhaps five days would include' 

 the len2;th of time consumed in most fatal cases, v/hereas a much greater 

 length of time is required in cufies that reco^■er. lu its most violent 

 epidemic form a much less time than five days would include the course 

 of the disease in all fataL cases. 



PATHOLOGY OF THE DISEASE. 



As before stated, all dead animals not too far advanced in decomposi- 

 tion were examined, and one or more sick animals were selected from 

 each diseased herd, and after a careful study of their symptoms, as com- 

 pared with the other sick stock of the herd, were slaughtered for exam- 

 ination. 



Memoranda from thirty dissections made from fifteen separate and 

 distinct herds fairly representing the disease as observed under all the 

 varied circumstances as to food, soil, water, and general management, 

 show the following results : 



In every case, without exception, disease of the lungs was iireseut, 

 varying in degree from slight congestion to complete softening from 

 suppuration and inflammation. In two cases the lung disease was 

 tuberculous in character. In eight cases adhesion occurred between 

 the costal pleura and limg. In six cases circumscribed spots of inflam- 

 mation were found on the walls of the heart and its investment, with 

 an effusion in the i)ericardial sack. In six cases were small patches of 

 ulceration of mucous lining of large intestine. In six cases were conges- 

 tion of mucous lining of the stomach. In all cases the liver i^resented a 

 darker hue than natural, in foiu* cases slightly, and in one greatly en- 

 larged; but in all other cases in size and general ap])earance would 

 compare favorably with that organ as usuallj^ observed in animals re- 

 garded sound and healthy. The spleen was in all cases discolored, as 

 in case of the liver. In few cases there was slight congestion of the 

 kidneys. In one case there was evidence of fatty degeneration, and in 

 all others the organ indicated a healthy condition. The blood was 

 always dark-colored, the muscles pale and relaxed. 



The disease of the lungs was in all cases the leading pathological con- 

 dition, to which all other diseased appearances were secondary in im- 

 portance, constituting complications oidy. 



A section of the lung of an animal slauglitcred during the acti%'e 

 inflammatory state of the disease shows, under the microscope, a com- 

 plete solidification of lung-tissue, the air-cells being filled with ei)ithctial 

 exudation, no extra vasated blood ap])ea] ing. A section of tlu; liver of the 

 same animal shows a thiclcening of tlie septie acini by a x)r<)liieration of 

 epithetial cells, tending to or constituting fatty degeneration; other 

 acini in the same section exhibit a perfectly healthy condition. A sec- 



