The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1878-01-11
Hog Cholera.

This disease is known by the vernacu>
lar CT common name of distemper, red
soldiers, red disease, blue sickness, blue
disease, hog cholera and measles. The
latter names are very wrongly applied.
L is a subject respecting which there is a
great diversity OF opinion, some regarding
1t as tyshls, Others as anthrSE, hence the
various appellations. 1t is undoubtedly
a blood disease.
1t is a malady thai appears first to
affect the digestive organs, and then the
blood undergoes changes favorable tc
transudations, which occur in different
parts of the boGy. By most authorities
it is considered contagious.
Symptoms = The premonitOry signs
occur late, are very transient, and are
seldom observed usually the death of
one OF more pigs, under mysterious cir
cumstances, first arrests attention. Some
may then be noticed to be dull, 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 often well
marked, and there is disposition 10 lie
on the belly with fore feet outstretched.
In some cases there is great cerebral
istuIbance, and in others stupor, so
that they may be either wild and frantic,
and utter cries. or else quite unconscious.
Vomiting frequently occurs, the retching
being often quite violent, and food may
be vomited, or mucous and bile only.
In the early stages the FORCES are of
normal Conscience ard the urine pale.
After a time diarrhoea sets in and the ex-
crement is then dark or black colored,
and extremely offensive. There is a singu
lar jerking or spasmodic breathing, com
plicated by congesti 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 ad-
vances. The animal staggers when
moving about, its limbs cross each
other, and often at last are perfectly para
lyzed. 1t is often found that the creature
can not scream, and there is present q
subdued hacking cough. The blood does
not flow freely il vein be opened, and
ecchymOsis occurs over the whole body.
The discoloration of the skin and mucous
membranes-suggesting so many names
for the disease commences some time
before death, and occurs especially or
the belly, inside of the highs and fore
legs, and behind the ears. Where the
skin is thinnest it is especially noticeable.
The red or purplish color disappears
wherever the skin is pressed, except in
parts where any extravasation OF the
blood has occurred. In rapid cases, the
mucous membrane is of blush red
color, and in chronic cases it is of dirty
yellow color. The temperature of the
body is at first increased, but afterward
it is lowered. Slight forms now and then
appear, which consist of discoloration of
the skin and loss eff appetite, extending
over a few days, when recovery follows
but in severe cases the animals generally
succumb in very short space of time
from the commencement of the attack.
Post norton 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 SUBJ
cutaneous tissue are dark-colored and
gorged with blood. A yellow serum is
apt to accumulate wherever there is
rami6ed redness. The Serious and mu-
cous membranes are studded with ecchy-
mosis, which are most developed as
rule in the thoracic organs. Impaction
of solid material in the intestines is ire
quently observed. The liver and spleen
are usually congested and of a dark color.
and the parenchyma of the liver more
particularly is soft. The lungs are often
much congested. The blood is dark,
seems fluid, and coagulates very slow.
Treatment-When the disease breaks
ont, keep the animal on low diet, and
promote action of the bowels by clysters;
and give then an emetic-white helle- |
bore, FIVE to ten grains, followed by pur- /;