DISEASES OF THE HOG. 61 
the patient recovers;orsometimes it becomes worse 
at this time, whichis indicated by great depression, 
the straining ceases 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 
ofien congested and there is considerable effusion 
in the abdominal cavity with some peritonitis. 
The lymphatics are usually much enlarged and 
soft. 
