108 THE HOG. 



The brain of the hog, like that of our other domesticated animals, 

 is composed of two substances differing materially in appearance 

 and structure ; the one is of a pale gray or ashy hue, and termed 

 the cortical or cineritious substance, and the other, from its pulpy 

 nature and from being found deeper in the brain, the medullary 

 substance. 



These two distinct component parts of the brain are allowed by 

 all scientific men to be intended for the discharge of two distinct 

 functions. The mind or reasoning power is supposed to reside in 

 the cineritious. portion; and hence the preponderance of that substance 

 in the human brain ; while the *riedullary portion is merely the re- 

 cipient of outward impressions upon the senses. There is very little 

 difference between the proportions of these two substances in the 

 brain of the hog and that of the sheep ; if any thing, the hog has 

 more of the cineritious portion than the ox; a proof, physiologists 

 would say, that his reasoning powers or moral faculties are greater. 

 We have already endeavored, we know not how successfully, to vindi- 

 cate him from the charge of utter stupidity and unteachableness so 

 generally brought against him, and pleaded the slight intercourse, com- 

 pared with that enjoyed by other animals, which he has with man as 

 the cause of it. There are anecdotes enough to prove them possessed 

 of memory, attachment, and social qualities ; but at present the sys- 

 tem of treatment affords no scope for the development of any but 

 mere brute and gluttonous instincts. 



APOPLEXY. 



As this is a disease which is chiefly induced by plethora, laziness, 

 want of exercise, high feeding, and such like causes, it is not to be 

 wondered at that it is frequent arnong swine ; and in by far the 

 majority of cases it is fatal ; for either the animal dies suddenly 

 without any precursory symptoms, or the progress of the attack is 

 so rapid that before help can be obtained or remedies administered 

 all is over. Where, however, the apoplexy does not destroy its 

 victim in a short space of time, it may be subdued and the animal 

 temporarily cured ; but only for awhile ; it invariably dies soon 

 afterwards of inflammation of the brain. Sometimes apoplexy will 

 run, like an epidemic, through a whole piggery, and where this is 

 the case the causes of it must be diligently sought out and care- 

 fully removed. 



The precursory symptoms which prognosticate apoplexy are dull- 

 ness, disinclination to move, heaviness of the head, an uncertain and 

 staggering gait, wildness and inflammation of the eyes, with apparent 

 loss of sight, no appetite, and general numbness. The treatment 

 must be prompt and energetic : bleeding from the palate ; Epsom 

 salts and sulphur as purgatives ; or emetic tartar dissolved in water 



