230 SWINE PRACTICE 



animals refuse to eat. Muscular rlieumatism is difEerentiated from 

 trichinosis by the periodic shifting lameness of rheumatism and by 

 the general absence of systemic disturbances. It may be necessary 

 to distinguish it from rickets, which is not difficult, since the latter 

 is a disease affecting the bones. 



Treatment. — Provide good quarters where the animal will not 

 experience wide variations of temperature within a short time. Laxa- 

 tives aid some form of salicylates or their derivatives are usually of 

 value, but must be given judiciously to avoid impairment of digestion. 



ARTICULAR RHEUMATISM 



Articular rheumatism sometimes occurs in swine. This condition 

 affects swine that have been unduly exposed, but probably the excit- 

 ing cause is infection. 



Articular rheumatism is esentially an inflammation of the peri- 

 articular structures, including the synovial membrane. The inflam- 

 mation may be serous, fibrinous, or hemorrhagic, and in extreme cases 

 it may become purulent. The exudate is accumulated in the peri- 

 articular structures and occasionally in the joint cavity. The synovia 

 becomes admixed with the inflammatory exudate and appears turbid, 

 bloody, or purulent, and may contain coagulated fibrin; the articu- 

 lar surfaces are rough. In cases of long standing the articulation is 

 surrounded by varying quantities of fibrous tissue which may cica- 

 trize and cause deformity. Various articulations are affected, but 

 the lesions are principally confined to the carpal, tarsal, stifle, and 

 fetlock joints. 



Symptoms. — The onset of this trouble is sudden. The affected 

 articulations become swollen and are very sensitive to palpation; the 

 animal refuses to place weight on them or, if compelled to do so, 

 expresses pain. If articulations of more than one leg are simultane- 

 ously affected the animal I'emains lying down, arising only after con- 

 siderable urging. There is usually some rise of temperature and a 

 diminished desire for food, or inappetence. The disease runs a vari- 

 able course, the attacks being intermittent. An attack usually con- 

 tinues for about two weeks, then the animal apparently recovers, but 

 sooner or later the attacks recur. 



Treatment. — The treatment for articular rheumatism is practically 

 the same as for muscular rheumatism. Provide good quarters, and 

 administer laxatives and salicylates. The outcome of the disease is 

 uncertain, and if the animals are in butcher condition they should 



