SWINE ERYSIPELAS 87 
The kidneys are enlarged, the cortex of a grayish-red and the medul- 
lary portion of a very dark-red color. Frequently catarrhal nephritis 
occurs as a complication. 
The acute swelling of the spleen arises in consequence of an acute 
hyperemia, with an increase of the cellular constituents of the pulp, 
in which case the organ is enlarged, but not softened as in anthrax. 
The pulp is of a purple color, moderately soft and free from hemor- 
rhages. 
There is cloudy swelling and enlargement of the liver. The surtace 
of sections has a grayish-brown color, and the acini are widened. The 
muscles are gray in color, soft, flaccid, watery, glistening and some- 
times they are sprinkled with hemorrhages. They give the general 
appearance of boiled flesh. The myocardium shows similar spotted 
changes, and punctiform hemorrhages beneath the endocardium. In 
the abdominal and thoracic cavities and pericardium, there may be 
found small quantities of an orange-colored, clear fluid, which may 
be mixed with a flaky coagulum. 
Many English veterinarians regard the occurrence of more or less 
luxuriant vegetations on the valves of the heart to be so common 
that it is to be considered almost diagnostic. It would appear from 
the literature that this endocarditis is not nearly so common in conti- 
nental Europe. The lungs remain unchanged, or at most exhibit a 
post-mortem edema. By microscopic examination, the specific bac- 
teria are found everywhere in the body, especially in the spleen and 
kidneys, and to a less extent in the blood. 
Diagnosis. Swine erysipelas is diagnosed from the symptoms, 
lesions and the isolation of its specific cause. The Ascoli thermo- 
precipitation test may be used. It is stated by Gsawizky to be strongly 
specific and Seibold reports favorably on its use. It is the only 
specific test for indicating this infection. Swine erysipelas is to be 
differentiated from: 
Hog cholera and swine plague. The frequent reddening of the 
skin in these diseases together with the modified lesions so frequently 
observed may cause confusion. The bacteriological examination will 
enable the positive diagnosis to be made. 
Anthrax, which is very rare in swine. Here, in addition to the 
bacteriological examination, specific tests for anthrax can be em- 
ployed (see anthrax). 
Erythemata due to various dietary causes. The significance of a 
deep reddening of the skin about the head, abdomen and thighs of 
