72 Swine Erysipelas 



In doubtful eases, especially if acute swine plague be suspected, 

 the diagnosis of erysipelas can only be assured by microscopical demon- 

 stration of the erysipelas bacilli in the blood or in the tissue of the 

 spleen, kidneys or lymph glands, and if necessary by subcutaneous 

 inoculation of such material into mice or pigeons. (See also diagnosis 

 of swine plague.) 



In shipping material to laboratories for examination, squeeze preparations or 

 thin smears from the spleen or kidneys should be made, as according to Joop, 

 the virulence of the bacilli of such material is retained for 10 to 12 days, while they 

 remain alive from 16 to 18 days. 



Treatment. In acute cases the treatment with immune 

 serum gives the best results, provided the animals are treated 

 immediately after the onset of the disease, as the injections 

 when undertaken not later than 6 to 12 hours after the appear- 

 ance of the first symptoms, exert a curative action in many 

 cases (Leclainche; according to Schiitz the serum destroys the 

 bacilli which are present in the body or which may enter the 

 body later). The blood serum is the same as is used for pro- 

 tective inoculation (see page 76), only it is necessary to use 

 considerable amounts ; 10 to 30 cc, according to the body 

 weight, should be injected subcutaneonsly ; it is also advisable 

 to repeat the treatment every 6 to 8 hours until the appearance 

 of a decided improvement. 



In Germany 1315 hogs affected between 1897 and 1901 with erysipelas were 

 treated with Lorenz's serum, of which 1111 that is 84% recovered, of 656 affected 

 animals treated with susserin 535, that is 82%, recovered. In Hessen 1451 out of 1570 

 treated animals, that is 92.5%, recovered between 1901 and 1903 (Lorenz) ; in Hol- 

 land 88.3% of 5830 animals were successfully treated (Wirtz) ; in Hungary Detre's 

 serum was employed in 1903 on 711 animals of which 677, that is 95%, recovered; 

 and since then results have also been favorable in different localities in which 

 the serum treatment has been employed. According to Nocard, in France 8483 

 hogs affected with erysipelas had been successfully treated up to 1901 with Le- 

 clainche 's serum. 



The symptomatic treatment has hardly any beneficial influ- 

 ence upon the disease. Nevertheless, the occasional internal 

 administration of remedies which possess an intestinal disin- 

 fectant action may be tried, and for this purpose is recom- 

 mended; calomel (2-3 gms. ; only in the early stages of the 

 disease, as later when the kidneys are affected it is harmful), 

 creolin or lysol (5% solution in tablespoonful doses), which 

 may be given with mild cathartics. Besides, the nervous system 

 may be stimulated by douches and washing with cold water. 



Prevention. The fact that the erysipelas bacilli remain as 

 saprophytes for a long time in the ground in infected localities, 

 and that they are also frequently present in the tonsils as well 

 as the intestinal canal of healthy animals, renders the com- 

 bating of the disease very difficult. As, however, the infection 

 is most successfully conveyed by affected hogs and their car- 

 casses, healthy animals must in the first place be protected from 



