farmers' institutes. 735 



the secretions from the lining membranes are moditied and usuallj' sneez- 

 ing or coughing occurs. In the different diseases of the respiratory or- 

 gans, the moditied sounds are of much value, both in the diagnosis and 

 treatment. 



The body temperature is taken per rectum, the ordinary fever ther- 

 mometer being used. The normal temperature of a hog will vary from 

 100.5 to 1U5. Fahrenheit, the average being about 103. In order to deicr- 

 mine the normal, it is well to take that of some of the other animals in 

 the pen and make a comparison. Exercise and warm pens will increase 

 tlie body temperature; cold weather and drinking cold water will lower 

 it. 



In health the visible mucous membranes are usually a pale reddish 

 color, and when inflamed a bright red. In collapse, internal hemorrhage, 

 impoverished or bloodless conditions of the body the meml)ranes are pale. 

 In indigestion that lining the mouth may appear coated; if irritated, ex- 

 cessively moist, and if the hog is feverish, dry. In serious diseases, es- 

 pecially febrile disturbances, secretions may accumulate around the mar- 

 gins of the eyelids and the eyes appear dull. 



Healthy hogs should have a smooth, rather heavy, glossy coat, and 

 the skin feel mellow and soft. When the skin loses its elasticity, becomes 

 hard, rigid and scurvy and the hair rough and liarsh, it indicates a lack 

 of nutrition and an unhealthy condition of the body. When the coat is 

 thin or the hog affected with external parasites, irritation from the sun 

 and parasites may cause it to become greatly changed. Sleeping on 

 frozen, wet ground will cause great thickening. 



The character of the excretions from the kidneys and bowels become 

 moditied in some diseases, and should be considered in making a diag- 

 nosis. 



The state of the nervous system is indicated by dullness, excitability 

 or delirium. The hog may stagger, walk stiffly, drop the head and appear 

 greatly depressed when affected with some diseases. Turning the head 

 to one side, walking stiffly, walking in a circle, convulsions and paralysis 

 ai'e symptoms manifested in the different diseases of the iierxous system. 



Administration of Medicine.— The different methods of giving medicine 

 are as follows: (a) By way of the mouth, in the head or as a drench; 

 (b) by injection into the tissues beneath the skin; (c) by rul)l»ing into the 

 skin; (d) by the air passages and lungs; (e) by the rectum. 



By Way of the Mouth.— Hogs possess a rather simple digestive tract, 

 and are very susceptible to the action of drugs when given in the feed 

 or as a drench. 



If the hog is not too sick to eat and the drug does not possess an un- 

 pleasant taste, it can be given in the feed. If solul)le. milk can be used; 

 if insoluble, ground feed is to be prepared. In all cases the medicine 

 must be well mixed with the feed. When a large number are to be 

 dosed, it is best to separate them into lots of ten and fei'd eacli lot sep- 



