484 A CASE OF ILLNESS IN A BOAR PIG. 
June 7 th, 1842. — I was called in to see a hog about ten months 
old, which had been labouring under disease some considerable 
period. 1 was informed by the owner that the animal had been 
kept with one of the same litter until last Christmas. At this 
time its mate was taken away by the butcher, and the sick animal 
was left alone. Shortly after this it began to be ill, and would 
take very little food. In this state it weathered the winter. I 
found it lying in the sty, and very reluctant to make the least 
attempt to move. It appeared to be suffering great pain when it 
was made to stand. On being forced up, it would rise upon its 
fore legs, and with a kind of leap was enabled to raise its hind legs ; 
but was usually so weak in the posterior extremities, that it could not 
walk. The animal was very low in condition, his coat was long 
and curled, and he was much fatigued on the slightest exertion. 
The faeces were voided with difficulty, and were hard, knobby, and 
black as a coal, with a sandy feeling on being pressed between the 
fingers. When standing, the hind feet were drawn towards the 
breast with the tarsus on the ground like those of a rabbit, and the 
abdomen twitched up like that of a greyhound. 
I administered a dose of jalap in the form of ball. 
8th. — State of health the same as before. I gave two ounces of 
the sulphate of magnesia, and one ounce of castor oil, in gruel. 
After drenching (though done with the greatest care), the animal 
was very much exhausted, and lay with his mouth open, and 
respiration hurried to an extreme degree. I had not any hope of the 
animal’s recovery. 
9th. — Very little change — the bowels not moved — takes no pro- 
per food, but eats earth and ashes frequently. No medicine ad- 
ministered. 
10 th. — No change. I cut the bristles from the lumbar and sacral 
portions of the spine, and extended the operation to the hams and 
flanks : applied a rubefacient liniment, lin. ammon. four parts, 
ol. terebinth, one part, and administered at the same time jalapi 
3j, hyd. chlorid. gr. x, ol. tiglii M vj. 
II th. — No perceptible difference — the bowels not moved: apply 
the above liniment, with the addition of one part of the unguent, 
cantharid. to three parts of the liniment. Gave internally jalap 
3ij, hyd. chlorid. gr. xij, ol. tiglii M xvj. 
12th. — He can walk a little better — the bowels have not been 
acted upon : apply the liniment as before — do not give any medi- 
cine. The owner, however, gave sulph. vivum 5j at night. 
132/i. — The fseces have passed, but no purging, properly speak- 
ing : the loins are a little red, and warmer than the rest of the 
body. 
14 th. — Improving : he takes a little food. 
