392 Diseases of Swine, 



The most common form of anthrax in pigs is that popu- 

 larly known as " white bristle." The poison localizes itself 

 in a carbuncular swelling, usually on the throat, presenting 

 the features of color already described. The bristles on the 

 spot turn white and brittle, whence the name just given. 

 The swelling extends inward, involving the windpipe and 

 gullet, causing difficulty of breathing and swallowing, and 

 finally death by suffocation, in convulsions. 



In addition to this we occasionally see the true apoplectic 

 or splenic form of charbon,and the variety which attacks the 

 tongue and mouth, both of which have already been de- 

 scribed as they occur in other animals (see pages 278, 344) ; 

 but as they are of rare occurrence in pigs, and present no 

 symptoms beyond those already given, except such as are 

 owing to their localities, we need not describe them at length. 

 They are both very acute and rapidly fatal, the apoplectic 

 form often killing "like a shot," literally in less than a 

 minute. 



The flesh of all animals dying of any form of this disease 

 is poisonous, and the blood and discharges capable not only 

 of spreading the disease among others of the same species, 

 but also, if inoculated into the human system, of bringing 

 on that mortal malady, "malignant pustule." 



Treatment. — This has been already discussed when 

 speaking of charbon in cattle and braxy in sheep (see pages 

 279, 345) and we need not repeat here the instructions 

 there given. They apply, with such modifications as the size 

 and habits of the animal render necessary, to swine. And as 

 both charbon and contagious pneumo-enteritis, which will be 

 next described, are due to a contagion essentially alike in 

 character, we shall include the treatment of anthrax under 

 that of the latter complaint. 



