IMPETIGO IN THE PIG. fi05 



The disease may extend towards the hocks, the knees, the stifle, 

 the armpit, etc. In the folds of skin surrounding the joints deep 

 cracks form, and sometimes become secondarily infected, thus leading 

 to the development of lymphangitis. 



General symptoms, such as fever, loss of appetite and constipa- 

 tion, always follow; they are afterwards succeeded by diarrhoea and 

 progressive weakness, ending in death. 



The disease is easily curable if seen in its earlier stages, but after 

 all signs of the first attack have disappeared, the condition may return 

 five or six times in a year if potato pulp is again given. Eecovery 

 IS always very difficult in aged or enfeebled patients. 



The mortality varies greatly; formerly it was as high as 20 per 

 cent., but at the present time it is much lower. 



Diagnosis. Provided the history of the case is borne in mind, the 

 diagnosis is always easy. 



The prognosis is not grave if the disease is treated early. 



Treatment. This consists first of all in altering the diet and 

 reducing the quantity of potato pulp, or, better still, in discontinuing 

 it entirely. The food should consist of good hay, bran, oatmeal gruel, 

 pollard, etc. Internally, diuretics are given to assist in the elimination 

 of the toxic products.- 



This treatment arrests the course of the disease. Suitable local 

 treatment will remove the existing lesions. It is precisely similar in 

 character to that of acute eczema, but it must be borne in mind that 

 it can only prove effective if the primary cause be removed. 



IMPETIGO IN THE PIG. 



The term impetigo is used to describe a disease characterised by 

 an eruption of papules, the discharge from which forms yellowish 

 crusts, which when dry are of a grey or brown colour. The point of 

 origin of the eruption is unknown, but the crusts rapidly become 

 infected on contact with the air, and the bodily lesions may end in 

 suppuration. The disease is not frequent nowadays except in sucking 

 pigs and in large or badly-kept piggeries. 



Symptoms. The eruption usually appears between the ages of 

 two and three months, and is accompanied from the first by moderate 

 pruritus. The papules rupture after two or three days and discharge 

 a lemon-coloured liquid, which is distributed over the surface, dries 

 rapidly, and causes the bristles to stick together at the roots. The 

 crusts formed in this way remain adherent to the skin, though their 

 surface becomes cracked. They increase in thickness, cover the head 

 and part of the body, particularly the belly and the inner surface of 



