no case did it extend beyond the circumference of the valves; the lining membrane of the heart always remained intact.
BRONCHIAL TUBES.
Swine are very susceptible of bronchitis, and also liable to worms in the bronchia, both of which affections manifest themselves under the form of cough, inappetency, and loss of flesh. The former may be subdued by bleeding and cooling medicines, as sulphur, cream of tartar, or pulv. antimonialis: the latter almost invariably cause the death of the animal from the irritation they create and the inflammation which is thus set up.
INFLAMMATION OF THE LUNGS.
This disease is perhaps more generally known under the term of rising of the lights; it is one of the most prevalent and too often the most fatal of all the maladies that infest the sty. It has been supposed by some, persons to be contagious, by others to be hereditary, but there does not appear to be any actual foundation for either of these opinions. By far the most probable supposition is, that it arises from some atmospheric influences or agencies which create a tendency to pulmonary affections, and these, acting upon a system heated and predisposed to disease by the mode of feeding adopted in most piggeries, give a serious and inflammatory character to that which would otherwise be merely a simple attack of catarrh; or it may arise from some irritating influence in the food itself, or from damp, ill-ventilated styes: whatever be its cause, it generally runs through the whole piggery when it does make its appearance. The prominent indications of disease are loss of appetite, incessant and distressing cough, and heaving at the flanks.
As soon as the first symptoms are perceived, the animal should be bled; the palate perhaps will be the best place in this case to take blood from; purgatives must then be given, but cautiously; Epsom salts and sulphur will be the best, administered in a dose of from two to four drachms of each, according to the size of the animal. To these may succeed sedative medicines: digitalis, two grains, pulv. antimonialis, six grains, nitre, half a drachm, forms a very efficient and soothing medicament for moderate-sized pigs, and will often produce very satisfactory effects; cleanliness, warmth, and wholesome, cooling, nutritious food, are likewise valuable aids in combating this disease. But whatever measures are taken, they must be prompt; for inflammation of the lungs runs its course with rapidity and intensity, and, while we pause to consider what is best to be done, saps the vital energies of the patient.
