DISEASES OF THE HOG. 51 



the i^atient recovers; or sometimes it becomes worse 

 at this time, which is indicated by great depression, 

 the straining Teases to a certain extent or alto- 

 gether, the animal lies down and can hardly be 

 induced to rise, the skin is cold, the breathing is 

 fast and short and the pulse imperceptible, the 

 body may be covered with purple spots and the 

 animal will die in a few hours. This disease is 

 often taken fOr "hog cholera.'^ 



Post mortem appearance: In cases of death from 

 dysentery there are always signs of inflammation 

 of the mucous membrane of the rectum and lower 

 portion of the colon, although the inflammation 

 may extend much farther up, as I have found it in 

 the small intestine. The membrane is much 

 thickened and of a dark red color, and there are 

 usually ulcers. These ulcers may be single or 

 confluent. The single ones have abrupt edges and 

 are often* covered with a concrete exudation and 

 somewhat resemble a slough. In some cases co- 

 agulated lymph will be found coating almost all 

 the membrane; in some cases there will be real 

 gangrenous sloughs. Very often in protracted 

 cases the liver will either be in a congested state 

 or of a dirty gray color, very easily torn, and the 

 gall bladder distended with gall. The spleen may 

 be enlarged and congested. In the majority of 

 cases the lungs appear healthy. The kidneys are 

 often congested and there is considerable effusion 

 in the abdominal cavity with some peritonitis. 

 The lymphatics are usually much enlarged and 

 soft. 



