50 . DISEASES OF SWINE 



lungs. Many of the causes of pleurisy are the same 

 as in pneumonia. Because of this and the intimate 

 relation of the pleura to the lung tissue, both of 

 these diseases frequently occur at the same time. 

 Pleurisy may be either acute or chronic. 



Causes. — The most common cause is a sudden 

 chilling of the body. Cold, damp, chilly weather 

 and damp, chilly, draughty pens are favorable con- 

 ditions for chilling of the body to occur and the 

 rheumatic form of pleurisy. Germs may also cause 

 it. It is commonly met with in such specific dis- 

 eases as hog cholera, swine plague, and tubercu- 

 losis. 



Symptoms. — Chilling and a high fever are among 

 the first symptoms of pleurisy. The hog refuses 

 to eat and acts dull. Pain is a prominent symptom, 

 and when the sides of the chest are pressed on with 

 the hands, the hog will flinch — sometimes grunt and 

 squeal. This is very noticeable during the early 

 stage of the inflammation, and may cause the ani- 

 mal to act restless. The breathing is always char- 

 acteristic. The ribs are held rigid, and the respira- 

 tory movement is mostly in the muscles of the 

 flank, the hog getting its breath in a short, jerky 

 manner. Later, when fluid collects in the chest 

 cavity, the breathing is more labored, and all of 

 the respiratory muscles are vised. On the absorp- 

 tion of this exudate the movement may again be- 

 come jerky in case the inflammation becomes 

 chronic. The character of the pulse-beats vary, and 

 in some cases are very weak. 



