221 DOMESTIC ANIMALS. 



If you find 3-onrself unable to restore the animal's appetite, the case 

 is nearly hopeless, and you may regard its return as one of the most in-^ 

 faUible symptoms of returning convalescence. It is, however, poHsible 

 to administer medicine to the pig hy force ; although, for my own part, 

 I cannot say that I have ever found it practicable. 



There is a description of fever that frequently occurs as an epizootic. 

 It often attacks the male pigs, and generally the most vigorous and the 

 best-looking, without any distinction of age, and with a force and 

 promptitude absolutely astonishing; for in the space of twelve hours, I 

 have sometimes seen a whole piggery succumb : at other times its pro- 

 gress is much slower; the symptoms are less intense and less alarming; 

 and the veterinary surgeon, employed at the commencement of the at 

 tack, may promise himself some success. 



The Causes of the Disease are, in the majority of cases, the bad sties 

 in which the pigs are lodged, and the noisome food which they often 

 contain. The food which the pigs meet with and devour, are the re- 

 mains of mouldy bread and fruit, especially those of pease and lentils — 

 the fermentation and decomposition of which farinaceous substances, and 

 especially the bran which is too frequently given to them, and the pro- 

 longed action of which determine the most serious in the whole economy. 

 In addition to this, is the constant lying on the dung heap, whence is 

 exhaled a vast quantity of deh-terious gas; also, where they remain far 

 too long, on the muddy or arid ground, or are too long exposed to the 

 rigor of the season. 



As soon as a pig is attacked with disease, he should be separated from 

 the others, placed in a warm situation, some stimulating ointment to be 

 applied to the chest, and a decoction of sorrel administered. Frictions 

 of vinegar should be applied to the dorsal and lunibaf region. The 

 drinks should be emollient, slightly imbued with nitre and vinegar, and 

 with aromatic fumigation about the belly. If the fever now appears to 

 be losing ground, which may be ascertained by the regularity of the 

 pulse, by the absence of the plaintive cries that were before heard, by a 

 respiration less laborious, by the absence of convulsions, and by the non- 

 appearance of blotches on the skin, there is a fair chance of recovery. 

 We may then be content to administer, every second hour, the drinks 

 and the lavements already prescribed, and to give the patient his proper 

 allowance of white water, with ground barley and rye. When, how- 

 ever, instead of these fortunate results, the symptoms are redoubling in 

 intensity, it will be best to destroy the animal ; for it is rare, that, after 

 a certain period, there is much or any chance of recovery. Bleeding, 

 at the ear or tail, is seldom of much avail, but occasionally produces 

 considerable loss of vital power, and augments the putrid diathesis. 



Leprosy. — The symptoms of this complaint usually commence with 

 the formation of a small tumor in the eye, followed by general prostra- 

 tion of spirits ; the head is held down and the whole frame inclines 

 toward the grouiid : universal languor succeeds ; the animal refuses food, 

 languishes, and rapidly falls away in flesh ; blisters soon make their 

 appearance beneath the tongue, then upon the throat, the jaws, the head, 

 and the entire body. The flesh of a leprous pig is said to possess most 

 pernicious qualities, and to be wholly unfit for human food If the 



