124 THE HOG. 



slightly inflamed ; the windpipe and bronchial tubes full of reddish 

 froth ; the brain covered with reddish serosity. 



The next account we come to gives a description of a somewhat 

 different epidemic which occurred in Aveyron and its environs, attack- 

 ing both the respiratory and digestive organs, and running its course 

 with astonishing vigor and rapidity, frequently sweeping off all the 

 inhabitants of a piggery in from twelve to fourteen hours, and in the 

 more virulent cases in less than half this time. 



Symptoms. In the worst cases these are sudden loss of appetite, 

 small and frequent pulse, haggard eyes, the conjunctiva inflamed, the 

 mouth open, red, and filled with foam, the respiration laborious, 

 plaintive cries, convulsions, palsy of the hind limbs, and involuntary 

 discharge of highly fetid faeces. Death here is the inevitable termi- 

 nation, and that in a short time. But where the progress of the dis- 

 ease is less rapid, the symptoms assume a milder form, and medical 

 aid is available and often beneficial. Pregnant sows escape the 

 attack of this malady, but as soon as they have farrowed they lose 

 this immunity and they and their young take it. It also seems to 

 spare leprous swine. It appears at all seasons of the year, but is 

 most malignant in the summer and at the commencement of autumn. 

 There can be no doubt as to its contagion, and from some experi- 

 ments made, it can be reproduced in other animals by inoculation, 

 particularly in sheep. The flesh of pigs that have died of this dis- 

 ease has been given to dogs and eaten by them without producing 

 any bad effects. 



Causes. Unwholesome food, ill-ventilated styes, want of attention 

 to cleanliness, exposure to heat, wet, or cold, are the predisposing 

 causes ; and probably some miasmatic influence develops the disease. 



Treatment. In the most virulent cases almost all modes of treat- 

 ment are unsuccessful ; or if they do succeed in rescuing the animal 

 from death, he generally falls into a state of marasmus, or becomes 

 paralytic. In the milder cases the following means have often proved 

 efficient : Seton in the chest ; a decoction of sorel, with camphor, 

 nitre, and calomel, as a drench ; emollient injections, slightly acidu- 

 lated ; stimulating frictions of the dorsal and lumbar regions, or 

 bathing these parts with hot vinegar ; and water thickened with oat 

 or barley-meal as the sole diet and drink. Venesection is here dan- 

 gerous, tending only to undermine the strength of the patient, this 

 disease being evidently one which alters, decomposes, and vitiates 

 the blood. Acetate of ammonia, administered in doses proportionate 

 to the size of the patient, has been of service. Purgatives should be 

 avoided, as they are of very uncertain benefit. Directly an animal is 

 attacked he should be removed from the others, and placed in some 

 comfortable place. 



Prevention. Strict attention to diet, cleanliness, ventilation, and 

 comfort j and a plentiful supply of clean water, both for the animals 



