CHAP. in. DISEASES OF SHEEP AND PIGS ' 589 



think, however, that the want of exercise and the habit of going for 

 long periods without emptying the bladder, as do fat lazy sheep, has 

 much to do with it. 



Symptoms. Where retention of urine exists the patient becomes rest- 

 less, frequently shifts his position, groans, grinds his teeth, and strains. 

 The breathing is quick and panting, the heart's action is hurried, and all 

 food is refused. Examination of the bed shows an absence of moisture 

 owing to no urine having been discharged. The over-distended bladder 

 may be felt by introducing the finger into the rectum. 



Treatment. The object of treatment is to be directed to the removal 

 of the obstructing matter. This may sometimes be effected by rolling 

 the small end of the penis between the thumb and first finger and 

 squeezing the sandy matter gently forward towards the outlet. Should 

 this fail the " worm " may be slit up with a fine knife, or, better still, 

 removed altogether. When these measures do not succeed the animal 

 should be killed. Inflammation of the bladder and rupture of the 

 organ are the common consequences of delay. 



CHAPTER IV. 



ON THE DISEASES OF SWINE. 



SWINE PLAGUE OR SWINE FEVER. This is a specific fever of a 

 contagious and infectious character. Until Professor Axe showed 

 it to be a distinct disease it was regarded by many, both here and on 

 the Continent, as a form of anthrax. 



Like most, if not all, other spreading affections, it has its origin in a 

 minute organism which enters the body through various channels, and 

 induces disease by its growth and multiplication in the blood and 

 juices of the flesh. 1 



In a series of experiments performed by Professor Axe in 1877, it 

 was proved that the poison of this affection may enter the body by the 

 lungs in the act of breathing, by the stomach in the act of feeding, or 

 by inoculation through open wounds. The same observer also showed 

 that the virus is given off from the skin as well as from the bowels. 

 In this way the ground on which infected pigs stand, and over which 

 they travel, as that of markets, styes, yards, and roads, becomes con- 

 taminated and rendered liable to extend the disease to healthy stock 

 which may follow them. 



Symptoms. The period of incubation is stated by Professor Axe to 

 vary between four and eight days, after which there is a rise in the 

 body temperature, and the skin becomes more or less reddened and 

 scurfy, particularly about the ears, on the under surface of the arms 



1 The most recent experiments appear to prove that, although a particular organism is 

 always present in the bowels in cases of swine fever, the disease is really produced by a mixed 

 infection, that is to say, another organism is also in operation, and by lowering the resistant 

 power of the pig, allows the swine fever bacteria free play to exercise their baneful influence. 

 Swine erysipelas, commonly known as " Red Soldier," is distinct from " Swine Fever," and it 

 seldom occurs as an epizootic in this country, although isolated cases occur. 



