The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1877-12-14
Hog Cholera.

latter name very wrongfully applied. II
Is a subject respecting which there is a
great diversity of opinion. Some regard.
ing it as typhus, Others as antirGr, hence
the various applications. 1t is undoubt-
edly..a blood disease.
1t is a malady that appears first to at.
feet the digestive organs, and then the
blSod undergoes changes favorable trans
uudations, which occur in different parts
of the body. BY most authorities it is
considered contagious.
Symptoms: The premonitor6 signs oc.
cur late, are very transient, and are sell
dom observed; usually the death of one
or more pigs under mysterious circum-
stances, first arrests attention. Some
may then be noticed to be dali, not 10
seek fosd or water, but TO creep beneath
the straw or any dark place, seeking quiet
and isolation from the rest, carrying the
head low and ears dropping.
Signs of abdominal pains are oftal well
marked, and there is a disposition to lie
on the belly. with fore feet oustretched.
In some cases there is great cerebral
disturbance, and in others scupor, so that
they may be either wild snd frantic, and
utter cries, or else quite un91nscious.
Vomiting frequently occurs, the retch>
ing being often quite violent, and food
may be vomited, or mucous and bile
only.
IN the early stages the fGces are of
normal consistence and the urine pale.
Aftera time diarrhea sets in, and the ex-
crement is then dark or black colored,
and extremely offensive. There is q sin
gular jerking or spasmOdic breathing,
complicated by CONGESTION of the lungs,
and usually painful, irritating cough,
which increases the general weakness.
Great weakness Of the hind parts is
often noticed from the commencement of
the attack, which increases as the disease
advances. The animal staggers when
moving about, its limbs cross each other
and often st last are completely para
lyzed II is often found that the crea
ture cannot scream, and there is present
a subdued hacking cough. The blood
does not flow freely il vein be opened,
and ecchymosis occurs over the whole
body. The diseoloration of the
skin and mucous membranes-sug-
rgesting 50 many names for the disease
commences sometime before death, and
occurs especially on the belly, Inside of
the thighs and fore legs, and behind the
ears. Where the skin is thinnest it is
especially noticeable. The red or pUr-
plish color disappears wherever the skin is
pressed, except in parts where any ex.
travasation of the blood has occurred
In rapid eases the mucous membrane is
of q blush red color, and in chronic cases
it is of dirty yellow color. The tenn
perature of the body is at first increased,
but afterwards is lowered. Slight forms
now and then appear, which consist OF
discoloration of the skin and lOss of ap-
petite, extending over q few days, when
recovery follows; but in severe cases the
animals generally succomb in & very short
space of time from the commencement OF
the attack.
Post-mortem appearances. The skin
is black and blue, as if the animal had
been bruised during life. The capillaries
and moderate-sized veins of the skin and
sub-cutaneous tissue are dark-colored
and gorged with blood. a yellow serum
! is apt to accumulate wherever there il
ramified redness. The Serious and mucou;
mbranes are studded with ecchymOsis
which are most developed "a a rule il
the thoracic organs Impaction of solid
material in the intestines is frequently
observed The liver and spleen are
usually congested and of q dark color
and the parenchyma of the liver more
congested The blood is dark, seems fluid
and congulates very slowly.
Treatment-When the disease breaks
out, keep the animals on low diet, and
promote action of the bowels by oysters
and give then an emetic-white bellebOre
to 10 grains, or sulphate of zinc, to Il
grains, followed by Pugatives. The fol
lowing drench would be suitable: Epson
salts, to ounces; and gantlan ginger
in powder, L to 2 brahms, in about
pints of water. The doses must be reg
ulated according'to the size Of the animal
The medicine should be given before
diarrhea sets in. Moderate exercise
fresh air, and Swinging or slucing the
animal over with cold water, are meas
ures to be recommended.
Preventive measures should Consist Of
cautious feeding in young and growing
animals, wholesome Vegetable diet, and 8
sparipg allowance of only wel-cooked
animal food strict attention to cleanliness
and separation of the affected from the
healthy animals. The sulphite or hypo-
sulphite of sodium, in about l to 2
drachm doses, five or six times a day,
would act very well. 1t could be given
in little iced if the animal would take
any.