i64 SWlNJi) PRACTICE 



which later becomes mucous or mucopurulent. The affected swine 

 are dull, listless, and will probably cough more or less when agitated. 

 Treatment. — Sanitary surroundings, good water to drink, and an 

 abundance of fresh air without drafts are prerequisities in the treat- 

 ment of pneumonia. Laxatives should be given to prevent constipa- 

 tion. Heart stimulants may be required, but should not be admin- 

 istered except when necessary, as indicated by a rapid, weak pulse. 



Purulent Pneumonia 



Purulent pneumonia is an inflammation of the lung characterized 

 by the formation of pus. This condition is relatively common in 

 young pigs, although it may occur in swine of any age. 



Etiology. — Purulent pneumonia is of bacterial origin. The pyo- 

 genic Micrococci, Bacillus pyocyaneus, and tubercle bacillus are the 

 most frequent causative factors of this condition. These organisms 

 may be inhaled direct but thej^ are more frequently introduced 

 into the lung from elsewhere as emboli. Purulent pneumonia in 

 old swine is therefore frequently associated with pyemia, abscess 

 formation, or purulent metritis. Several cases have been observed 

 in the carcasses of swine that had previously been hyperimmunized 

 intramuscularly for the production of anti-hog-cholera serum. 



Lesions. — The principal lesion is suppuration, the centers of which 

 vary in size and number biit in the beginning are relatively small 

 and in the earlier stages are not encapsulated but are surrounded 

 by a zone of lung tissue intensely infiltrated with cells. As the 

 condition progresses a circumscribing capsule is formed and the 

 pus becomes thicker, and if the capsule is not destroyed the con- 

 tained pus becomes caseous and may later become calcified. Should 

 the capsule of a suppurative center become eroded the contained 

 pus may infiltrate the adjacent lung tissue or discharge into a 

 bronchial tube, the original suppurative center thus becoming a 

 cavity. The pleura covering superficial suppurative centers usually 

 shows some involvement. 



Symptoms. — The evidence of purulent pneumonia varies accord- 

 ing to the nature and extent of the lesions. The presence of a single 

 abscess may not cause any noticeable symptoms. General embolic 

 purulent pneumonia is characterized by intense symptoms consisting 

 of chills, fever, difficult and hurried breathing, uneasiness, and gen- 

 eral distress. The discharge of pus within the lung tissue is evi- 



