At the beginning of any outbreak of hog-cholera the _body temperatures_ of
the apparently healthy animals may vary from 105\260 to 108\260 F. After
a few days, animals that are fatally sick or recovering from the disease
may show normal or subnormal body temperature.

_Loss of appetite_ is the first symptom of disease usually noted by the
person in charge of the herd. The hog may show a disposition to eat dirt.
The sick hog is usually found lying in its bed, or off by itself in a quiet
place. It presents a rather _characteristic appearance_. The back is
arched, the hind feet are held close together, or crossed, the abdomen is
tucked up and the hog appears weak in its hind parts. _Diarrhoea_ or
_constipation_ may be present. The color of the diarrhoeal discharges
varies according to the character of the feed, and it may be more or less
tinged with blood and have a disagreeable odor. The urine is highly
colored.

_The respirations and pulse beats_ are quickened and abnormal in character.
Thumps sometimes occur. When the mucous membranes lining the throat and
anterior air passages are thickened, the respirations are noisy and
difficult. The animal may cough on getting up from its bed and moving
about. There is at times a noticeable discharge from the nostrils. When the
_lungs_ are inflamed the respirations are quickened and labored. In case
the pleural membrane is inflamed, the respiratory symptoms are more severe,
and the hog shows evidence of pain when the walls of the chest are pressed
on. The _pericardium_ may be inflamed. In such cases the hog staggers and
falls when forced to walk.

_The central nervous system_ may be involved by the inflammation. The usual
symptoms occurring in inflammation of the brain and its coverings are then