Croup. Croupous (^Pseudo- Membranous) Laryngitis. 141 



of antiseptic treatment. Cases early treated may have a very 

 low mortality, and neglected ones a very high one. 



Lesions. The infected mucosae and that of adjacent parts are 

 infiltrated, swollen, friable, and even in patches gangrenous. 

 The false membranes covering the laryngeal mucosa, are thick 

 non-vascular pellicles, often of considerable thickness, they may 

 be torn or detached so as to be shreddy, and are covered with a 

 layer of tenacious mucus. From the first the mucous follicles 

 are distended and filled with an inspissated mucus. The exten- 

 sive infiltrations and congestions of surrounding parts may cause 

 great swelling, redness, and doughy sensation in the region of 

 the throat. 



Treatment. At the outset an active antiseptic dressing is 

 usually promptly effective. Silver nitrate, 10 grains to an ounce 

 of water, or hydrochloric acid 2}^ drams to the ounce, have been 

 mainly resorted to. These should be applied to the fauces, 

 tonsils, pharynx and above all to the interior of the larynx, by 

 a small sponge firmly fixed on the end of a whalebone staff 

 curved at about an inch from the point. A single early dressing 

 is usually effectual, but a second or even a third may be applied 

 if the affection continues. The use of non-poisonoiis antiseptics 

 (sulphites, hypo-sulphites, salicylic acid, sodium salicylate, 

 copperas, boric acid) in the food, is much less successful because 

 they, in the main fail to reach the affected parts in a sufiiciently 

 concentrated condition. 



Prevention. Other swine (especially the young) kept under 

 similar conditions should be kept carefully apart from an affected 

 herd, and those not yet affected should be separated, as the mi- 

 croorganisms that have lived in the animal system have become 

 more potently pathogenic. For the same reason the pens and 

 yard should be cleaned and disinfected and even left empty for 

 some time. 



No less important is it to change the regimen of the affected 

 herd, placing it under more wholesome conditions of living 

 especially as regards cleanliness, pure air, and protection against 

 exposure. 



