SUMMARY 153 



CHANGES IN BONES 



The changes already described are about complete as far as the 

 usual field postmortem examination goes. In the large packing 

 houses, however, where the carcasses are split after the viscera have 

 been removed, we frequently see another very interesting post- 

 mortem lesion. This consists in a very pronounced hemorrhagic 

 discoloration of the bones forming the spinal column. Normally, 

 the split surface of these bones is of a whitish-gray color or, at most, 

 a slight pink. In well-marked cases of cholera the hemorrhagic 

 discoloration is so marked that the entire cancellated structure of 

 the bone has a dark-brown and often black color. 



This discoloration may be sometimes noted in other bones of 

 the body as well as in the spinal column, but it is more often and 

 more pronouncedly seen in this location than any other part of the 

 body. 



CHANGES IN BRAIN AND COVERINGS 



It is rather unusual to examine the brain, the spinal cord, or their 

 coverings in a hog postmortem, but in those cases where this is 

 done they are frequently found to participate in the general hemor- 

 rhagic changes. There is usually a congestion of the coverings of 

 the brain and cord, and often hemorrhagic areas are found on the 

 surface of the brain when it is removed from the body cavity. 



SUMMARY 

 In preceding paragraphs there has been presented a detailed 

 discussion of the important postmortem findings in a case of hog- 

 cholera, and an effort will now be made to summarize the import- 

 ant facts in these findings for quick reference and review. The 

 following are the cardinal points in postmortem diagnosis of cholera : 



(1) Skin. — Here should be noted the presence of redness, which 

 may be either in the form of scattered pin-point-like hemorrhages 

 or a diffuse redness. It is most common and most marked on the 

 ears, the skin inside the forelegs, the flanks, and the under side of 

 the belly. Both hemorrhagic and hyperemic redness are found. 



(2) Lymph-glands. — The changes in these glands consist of 

 marked discoloration, varying from a bright red to dark, almost 

 blackish, discoloration. The important lymph-glands are all 

 swollen, softened, and discolored. Those most commonly exam- 



