53 
ORIGINAL ARTICLES. 
nation. In Hog Cholera, constipation is much more common at 
the outset than diarrhoea, and afterwards, when diarrhoea is pres¬ 
ent, the evacuations are unlike the characteristic discharges of 
Asiatic cholera. That the disease is an idiopathic fever of typhoid 
type, substantially like typhoid fever of the human subject, would 
seem to be proved by the congestion, inflammation, and ulceration 
so generally found in the intestinal canal, by the frequency of 
hemorrhages from the bowels, and the frequent enlargment of the 
mesenteric glands and spleen; also by the petechial eruption over 
the surface, and from its greater tendency to attack young ani¬ 
mals. On the other hand, Hog Cholera resembles what is known 
in Europe as anthrax fever, the symptoms in the living animal 
being almost identical, and the post-mortem appearances not 
greatly dissimilar. Hog Cholera differs from what are styled 
anthracoid diseases by its much less malignity; and, although in 
my opinion it is contagious so far as to be communicated in some 
way from diseased to healthy swine, it does not appear to be trans- 
missable to other species of animals, nor to man, while the 
anthrax fever of Europe passes readily from one kind of stock to 
another, and is often fatally communicated to mankind. The 
blood of animals suffering from anthrax fever, it is said, always 
contains the Bacillus anthracis. So far as my examinations have 
gone or my information extends, the presence of Bacillus lias 
not been demonstrated in Hog Cholera. 1 should add, how¬ 
ever, that many European veterinarians regard what is styled 
anthrax fever of swine as nothing more nor less than typhoid 
fever. By some persons Hog Cholera is regarded as typhus, 
rather than typhoid fever; but the frequency of intestinal lesions 
and severe suffering in Hog Cholera, are adverse to such a con¬ 
clusion. 
Cause .—First, contagion. It seems to be established that this 
disease has been communicated to healthy swine by bringing 
them in contact with the affected, or by confining them in cars, 
pens, or yards, that diseased animals have recently occupied. 
It appears, also, that the contagion may, in some way, be con¬ 
veyed for the distance of half a mile or more; also, that animals 
kept in the most cleanly and thrifty condition are not proof 
