345 
MALIGNANT FEVER OF SWINE. 
also witnessed instances in which the disease has scarcely spared 
a single animal, although the swine were properly managed and 
fed. ~ 
Times of its appearance .—Although there is no part of the 
year in which the disease does not occasionally appear, yet it is 
most frequent and most malignant in the summer and at the 
commencement of autumn. 
The contagiousness of the disease .—I do not hesitate for a mo¬ 
ment in pronouncing the disease to be contagious. Inoculation 
with the matter contained in these black spots, and confinement 
in the same stye, have produced this malignant fever in the space 
of a few hours. 
Of the transmission of the disease by ordinary means to ani¬ 
mals of a different species, I am unable to speak decidedly. 
The flesh of animals that have died from this disease has been 
given to dogs, and no bad effect has followed. Inoculation with 
the blood and ichorous matter has not been attended by any 
serious results in the dog ; but some sheep that were thus inocu¬ 
lated, died in two days, exhibiting all the symptoms of malignant 
fever. 
Prevention .—Nature and veterinary skill being altogether 
powerless in relieving animals attacked by disease of the first 
class, it is necessary to think seriously of preventive measures. 
It is more easy to prevent than to combat, and conquer a disease. 
I have therefore always said to the farmers who have experienced 
the ravages of this malady, that they will never drive it effectually 
from their piggeries while they persist in their present absurd 
management of the hog. The plague will not be stayed until the 
styes are better constructed, well ventilated, not damp, and 
where the dung and litter are more frequently removed ; until 
their food is more wholesome and in proper quantity; until they 
have pure water to quench their thirst, and in which they may 
bathe themselves when they are so disposed ; and especially 
until they can no longer wallow in the filth and dung of other 
animals. In cold and rainy weather they should be kept wdthin 
their styes. In summer their drink should be lightly nitrated, 
or salted, or acidulated. The whey which is produced in the 
manufacture of the Roquefort cheese will be excellent for those 
that are drooping and weak. The administration of some 
bitter decoction will often be useful. During the prevalence of 
the epizootic, I have often derived considerable benefit from 
small doses of camphor and nitre administered in a decoction of 
sorrel. These medicines, although mentioned here merely as 
preventives, are exceedingly useful in the curative treatment of 
the disease, especially when a few grains of calomel are added. 
