MALIGNANT FEVER OF SWINE. 
CLASS I. 
Symptoms. —The swine often die without the slightest pre¬ 
cursory symptom of disease being perceived. When there are 
previous symptoms, they are—sudden loss of appetite—small 
and frequent pulse—the ears hanging down, dark-coloured, and 
tender—the eyes protruding, and haggard—the conjunctiva 
deep red—the mouth open, red, and generally filled with foam— 
the muzzle protruded, buried in the litter, and of a leaden colour— 
the respiration frequent and laborious—plaintive cries—continual 
convulsions; and these always preceding the appearance of red 
spots, and becoming gradually deeper coloured on the ears, 
belly, and inside of the thighs—palsy of the hind limbs—invo¬ 
luntary discharge of faeces highly foetid—death ensuing in about 
an hour. 
Post-mortem examination. —The bellv is swelled—the mouth 
l/ 
open, and of a violet colour—the tongue enlarged, black, and 
hanging from the mouth—black spots from one to four inches 
square are found under the belly, on the flanks, and on different 
parts of the body; and many of them run together and form 
large patches ; when these spots or patches are cut into, a yellow 
or brown serous fluid escapes, and the bristles are detached with 
the slightest touch from these discoloured places. 
The lungs are brown, and filled with blood—the ventricles of 
the heart are gorged with coagulated blood—the pericardium 
and the pleura exhibit large spots of ecchymosis—the trachea 
and bronchi are filled with a yellow fluid—the membranes of the 
brain are thickened, and covered with black coagulated blood— 
the brain presents points of inflammation and collections of se- 
rosity—the membranes of the spinal cord are also thickened—the 
whole of the spinal marrow is softened, and particularly about 
the lumbar region—the abdominal viscera display much disor¬ 
ganization—the spleen and the liver are enlarged and filled with 
blood—the gall bladder is contracted, but contains some thick, 
black and foetid bile—the epiploon and the mucous membrane of 
the stomach are sprinkled with black spots; they are also thickened, 
of a deep red colour, infiltrated with blood or serosity, and dis¬ 
organized or decomposed—the mesenteric glands and those of 
the groin, and the thigh have points of infiltration, black 
and decomposed—the bladder is thickened, of a red colour, and 
contains an oily and red urine—the kidneys are sometimes 
softened—there is a general flaccidity of the tissues, and espe¬ 
cially of the glandular parts. There is no effusion either in the 
abdomen or the chest; but the lateral ventricles arc filled with a 
bloodv fluid. 
