slightly inflamed; the windpipe and bronchial tubes full of reddish froth; the brain covered with reddish serosity.
The next account we come to gives a description of a somewhat different epidemic which occurred in Aveyron and its environs, attacking both the respiratory and digestive organs, and running its course with astonishing vigor and rapidity, frequently sweeping off all the inhabitants of a piggery in from twelve to fourteen hours, and in the more virulent cases in less than half this time.
Symptoms.—In the worst cases these are sudden loss of appetite, small and frequent pulse, haggard eyes, the conjunctiva inflamed, the mouth open, red, and filled with foam, the respiration laborious, plaintive cries, convulsions, palsy of the hind limbs, and involuntary discharge of highly fetid fæces. Death here is the inevitable termination, and that in a short time. But where the progress of the disease is less rapid, the symptoms assume a milder form, and medical aid is available and often beneficial. Pregnant sows escape the attack of this malady, but as soon as they have farrowed they lose this immunity and they and their young take it. It also seems to spare leprous swine. It appears at all seasons of the year, but is most malignant in the summer and at the commencement of autumn. There can be no doubt as to its contagion, and from some experiments made, it can be reproduced in other animals by inoculation, particularly in sheep. The flesh of pigs that have died of this disease has been given to dogs and eaten by them without producing any bad effects.
Causes.—Unwholesome food, ill-ventilated styes, want of attention to cleanliness, exposure to heat, wet, or cold, are the predisposing causes; and probably some miasmatic influence develops the disease.
Treatment.—In the most virulent cases almost all modes of treatment are unsuccessful; or if they do succeed in rescuing the animal from death, he generally falls into a state of marasmus, or becomes paralytic. In the milder cases the following means have often proved efficient:—Seton in the chest; a decoction of sorel, with camphor, nitre, and calomel, as a drench; emollient injections, slightly acidulated; stimulating frictions of the dorsal and lumbar regions, or bathing these parts with hot vinegar; and water thickened with oat or barley-meal as the sole diet and drink. Venesection is here dangerous, tending only to undermine the strength of the patient, this disease being evidently one which alters, decomposes, and vitiates the blood. Acetate of ammonia, administered in doses proportionate to the size of the patient, has been of service. Purgatives should be avoided, as they are of very uncertain benefit. Directly an animal is attacked he should be removed from the others, and placed in some comfortable place.
Prevention.—Strict attention to diet, cleanliness, ventilation, and comfort; and a plentiful supply of clean water, both for the animals
