148 SWINE tRACflCE 



oxygen and elimination of various waste products. The organs of 

 respiration are the same as those of other mammals. Inspiration 

 in swine is shorter than expiration and there is usually about one 

 respiratory movement to four heart-beats. The total capacity of 

 the lung of swine is relatively small in comparison to other animals 

 of relative weight. About one-fifth to one-sixth of the total air that 

 the lung is capable of retaining is replaced in each respiration. The 

 frequency of respiration is increased by exercise or excitement. The 

 native lard hog cannot withstand severe exercise, and this is the 

 cause of so many heat exhaustions in these animals when they are 

 moved on foot from place to place. 



Nose 



The habit of rooting predisposes the snout of swine to various 

 kinds of injury regardless of the fact that this organ has been de- 

 signed for such purposes. Kinging of swine produces an injury that 

 in some instances is difficult to correct. 



EPISTAXIS 



Nose bleeding is not a disease primarily, but is usually a symptom of 

 some other disease or abnormal condition. Epistaxis occurs rather con- 

 monly in swine. 



Etiology. — True epistaxis is a result of the escape of blood from 

 some of the blood vessels of the nasal chambers or related cavities. 

 It is a very common symptom in hog cholera and swine plague, and 

 has been observed in cases of anthrax. The condition is sometimes 

 associated with ulceration of the Schneiderian membrane regardless 

 of the cause of the ulcers. In some instances, it may be due to me- 

 chanical injuries of the mucous membrane. 



Lesions. — Except in epistaxis resulting from trauma, the lesions 

 of the primary condition are more prominent than those associated 

 with the hemorrhage. 



Symptoms. — Escape of blood, usually from the nostril, is the prin- 

 cipal evidence of epistaxis. The escaping blood may be SL'arlet red 

 or dark red, depending upon whether the blood is escaping from 

 an artery or a vein. Epistaxis can be distinguished from pulmonary 

 hemorrhage by the fact that the discharged blood from the latter is 

 frothy. 



Treatment: — Epistaxis is usually not fatal. It is difficult to treat 



