440 
Swine Fever. 
Occasionally the pig may cough, and a careful inspection would 
show that the glands in the groin are enlarged and tender, but there 
is nothing in the aspect of the animal to indicate that it is suffering 
from a highly contagious malady. 
On 'post-mortem examination, however, the distinctive lesions, 
i.e. ulceration of the bowels, and especially ulceration of the large 
intestines, or croupous exudation mentioned above, will be found. 
It will therefore be evident that while, in the large proportion of 
cases, swine fever is indicated by symptoms of such a definite 
character that an experienced observer has no difficulty in arriving 
at a correct conclusion, yet there are other instances in which the 
disease assumes an occult form, and when the diagnosis is a matter 
of extreme difficulty. In these cases, consequently, it is often 
necessary to slaughter the animal and make a careful post-mortem 
examination before the existence of the disease can be determined. 
The evidence satisfied the Committee that the identification of 
swine fever is a matter of extreme importance, and that in every 
case of a reported outbreak means should be adopted to determine 
the nature of the malady before the provisions of the Contagious 
Diseases (Animals) Acts are applied. 
With regard to the conditions under which the disease is 
spread, it is quite certain that contact of diseased with healthy 
swine is among the most certain means of its propagation. 
It has further been demonstrated that the introduction of the 
virus beneath the skin and its ingestion with the food with which 
it has been mixed, intentionally or by accident, will produce the 
disease. 
Swine fever can also be conveyed through the agency of persons, 
animals, and substances, which have been in contact with diseased 
swine or with their excreta, or with their morbid parts. The 
disease is as virulently infectious and contagious, and as fatal, as 
cattle plague, and, like that malady, can be conveyed from diseased 
to healthy animals through channels the existence of which is often 
unsuspected. 
Several witnesses spoke in strong terms of the risk of infection 
from railway trucks and dealers’ carts. 
In the course of the inquiry the question was frequently put as 
to the possible influence of sties and similar places inhabited by 
diseased pigs, in perpetuating the disease. The Committee had 
ample evidence before them that the insanitary condition and faulty 
construction of many of these places often led to a continuance of 
the disease which otherwise might have been more speedily eradi- 
cated. 
The opinion was repeatedly expressed that in many cases the 
destruction of the pigsty would be necessary. 
Some of the scientific witnesses were of opinion that the virus 
remained active for a long period, and some even suggested that 
pigsties and places where diseased pigs had been kept should be 
closed for fifty- eight days. It would seem, however, that this long 
