SWINE FEVER.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XCIII, Issue 10670, 3 June 1895, Page 6

SWINE FEVER.

(Specially written for the “ Canterbury Times.”) This is a highly contagious and infectious disease, of uncertain incubatory period, transmissible by inoculation and associated ■with marked elevation of temperature. Succeeding to inoculation the incubatory period appears to bo from five to seven days. Healthy pigs in contact with diseased take eleven to fifteen days, usually, before showing marked symptoms. There is no doubt that the disease is due to the action of a micro-organism—a bacillus which closely resembles, but is much smaller and more difficult to find than the well-known bacillus subtilis. The germs are actively motile—they can be cultivated artificially, and nurtured through many generations. Each of the many successive cultivations will, on inoculation, produce the distinctive lesions of the disease. It is important to note “that no amount of bad management, filth, want of drainage, nor decomposing food are in themselves sufficient to produce the disease." Yet it must be borne in mind that these agents, acting together or separately, will so affect the animal economy as to render it susceptible to the invasion of the actual disease-producing germ. GENEKAIi SYMPTOMS. The earlier and most easily recognised symptoms are want of appetite, drooping ears, pained expression, discharge or tears, appearance of spots varying in colour from blue to red on the ears, the inside of the ipre and hind legs, and the underneath part and sides of the abdomen. These spots are at first hot and highly sensitive to the touch, but gradually become cold _ and insensitive. Coincident with this change in the spots shivarings may bo detected, the animal stands forward on its toes, and grinds its teeth in a somewhat characteristic maimer* Harhial or total paralysis follows, marked by involuntary defecation and micturation, with inability to use the hind parts, or the lose of motor power may extend over the body, compelling the sufferer tq assume a recumbent position. The urine becomes high in colour—often bloody—and the 'seoes may be mixed with blood almost black in appearance. Breathing now becomes short and spasmodic, a peculiar hacking cough manifests itself occasioning much distress. These symptoms become in intensity, relief only being given by death. .According to the location of the microorganieip will depend the most easily noticed symptoms. Thus when the serous lining of the abdominal cavity is the seat of operation indications of peritonitis are present, or if the thoracic lining is involved signs of pleurisy are seen, while an attack on the mucous membranes gives rise to bronchitis, broncho-pneumonia, or congestion and ulceration of the lining membrane of the intestines.

It' must not ba supposed that all these symptoms are found in every case. On the contrary, in numerous casesshowiagperhaps nothing more than elevation of temperature, lack of appetite, and general dulness, post mortem examination will reveal undoubted lesions. POST MORTEM APPEARANCE, The superficial vessels of the skin 'are usually engorged. The skin-glands are distended. Beneath the skin will be found an exudate of yellow liquid. The skin beneath the arms is thickened, while that along the neck, flank, abdomen, on the ears and about the nose appears of a reddish hue and thick. ■The small intestines in nearly every esse will be found congested, and spots where extravasation of .blood has taken place present themselves. This applies not only to the internal lining of the mucous membrane but also to the external serou* covering of the intestine. The same condition is at times found in the stomach. Now, the large intestine should bo examined with great caution. Hera we find the junction of that portion of the small intestine known as the ileum with the cfficum, and between the two is a valve known as tho iiio-eaecal valve. Around this valve in the great majority of swine fever cases will be found the characteristic and determining lesions of the disease. In this region will be seen spots where extravasation of blood has taken place, and hero too will be seen ulcers tanging in size, some single and isolated, others joining side to side forming continuous patches, and around their periphery the mucous membrane is much thickened. These ulcers vary from tho size of a hemp seed to that of a florin in diameter, and are such in appearance that the expert will not hesitate to express an opinion on macroscopic examination alone, but in all cases should doubt exist recourse should be had to the microscope. In this connection it should be carefully noted that close to the ilio-casoal valve in the pig there is a group of glands known as one of “ Foyer’s patches,”which; to the inexperienced, might be—in fact, has b eeil —mistaken for a swine fever ulcer. In connection with the intestinal lesions the lymphatic glands are found abnormal —they are enlarged, congested and infiltrated—the infiltration varying from dark red to almost milky white in appearance. Occasionally the mouth, threat and tongue present ulcerations. The lungs show lobar and lobular inflammation, in which their covering membrane, as before indicated, frequently participates. It will be seen, then, that while it is somewhat easy to enumerate > the lotions, sometimes and frequently present, it is out of the question to lay down a hard and fast rule by which an ordinary observer can say this is or this is not swine fever, and it is surely of great importance to the colony that owners .of . swine should, on noticing any suspicious i symptoms amongat their herds, immediately, forward specimens ■to the Stock;' Department, where the .services or Mr Gilfuth; the Government, veterinarian, will'be brought into requisition free; of cost. ■ ■ ... ■■