FAUMKUS' INSTITUTES. T-jO 



CiUisc's, and maj' occur as a syiuijtom in iliffereut diseases. Faulty ra- 

 tions, especially if deficient in alkiUiuo and earthy salts, lack of exercise, 

 digestive disorders and a nervous condition may cause it. 



.Synii»toms.— The hog shows an inclination to eat all sorts of indigest- 

 ible sul)stances— earth, sand, fitccs. bristles, rotten wood, etc. Some- 

 times they are quarrelsome and may attack one of their number and kill 

 it. Sows will eat their young, especially at the time of birth. When 

 thus af'lVcted they do not thrive .-is thoy should and may become quite 

 thin. 



Treatment.— The treatment is chiefly preventive, and consists in sup- 

 plying to the ration whatever elements are wanting. The addition of 

 charcoal, salt, wood ashes, etc., will sometimes answer the purpose well 

 when th^ other ingredients seem to be about right. When the affection 

 is due to chronic indigestion, the latter should be given the proper treat- 

 ment. 



Acute Indigestion. Causes.— Overloading the stomach, and spoiled 

 foods, especially putrid swill, are common causes of indigestion. Alka- 

 line washing powders and soaps irritate the stomach and intestines and 

 may bring about this condition. Poor care, exposure and intestinal worms 

 may also cause it. 



Symptoms.— The hos' refuses food, is generally restless and may have 

 colicky pains. It usually wanders off by itself, acts dull, grunts, lies 

 down in a quiet place or stands Avith the back arched and abdomen tense. 

 It seems to like to hide itself in the bedding, litter around a manure heap 

 or straw stack and in the grass or Aveeds. When vomiting occurs early in 

 the attack, recovery usually takes place in a short time. Sometimes the 

 animal has diarrhoea. The body temperature may be higher than normal. 



Treatment.— Feeds that will irritate the stomach or intestines should 

 be avoided. It is desirable to induce vomiting as soon as possible by giv- 

 ing an emetic of ipecacuan (twenty or thirty grains in a little warm water 

 — heaping teaspoonful to tablespoonful). This can be followed by two or 

 three ounces of castor oil. The pig should be kept in the pen and fed on 

 easily digested ration. 



Chronic Indigestion. Causes.— AVhen the causes of acute indigestion 

 act for some time either in an intermittent or continuous inanner, it.wdl 

 terminate in the chronic form. 



Symptoms.— In the beginning these may be the same as in the acute 

 form. The hog presents an unthrifty appearance and may become quite 

 thin. The young pig becomes stunted. We may observe constipation and 

 diarrhoea alternating. 



Treatment.— Clean quarters and a well balanced, easily digested ra- 

 tion should be provided. The hog should have access to plenty of com- 

 mon salt and charcoal. As a tonic the following mixture can be given in 

 the feed: P.iearbcmate of soda (two ounces), powdered gentian (three 

 drains), sulphate of soda (three ounces.) The dose is about one teaspoon- 



