740 l!«>Ai;i> OF A<.KI<1'I,IUKK. 



(n\ twiic <l;iily. To clu'ck the (liMnliocn. iiitraU; of ItisiiuUh in (Iimiii or 

 half dram ilosos can In; j^ivtMi. If ccnistipated, a catliartic of c-alonicl (ti'U 

 \i> twenty grains) will give relief. 



Inflammation of the Stomach and Intestines. Gastro-Enteritis.— Iii- 

 llamniMtion of the stomach can not be readily distinguished from that of 

 the intestines, and vice versa. Frecjuently both are inflamed at the same 

 time. It is therefore more convenient to discuss both under the head of 

 gastro-enteritis. 



Causes. — This disease is largely due to unhygienic conditions. Some 

 people seem to think that a hog can eat anything and take poison with 

 iini)unity, and as a result it frequently sufTers from ignorant practice in 

 the feeding, care and drug administration. The causes of gastro-enteritis 

 are much the same as in indigestion, only they act more intensely. We 

 must especially mention dirty, tllthy yards and pens, decomposed and 

 overkept foods. When hogs are kept in filthy quarters the snout and 

 food become soiled Avith all sorts of microbes. These enter the digestive 

 tiact along with the food, irritate the lining membrane and pave the waj' 

 lor those germs that Avould otherwise prove harmless. Toxic or poisonous 

 sul)stances, as salt brine, washing powders, dish water, etc., that are 

 frequently found in the swill may cause it. Using poisonous or severe 

 drugs for the treatment of cholera is a frequent cause. 



Symptoms. — The animal shows evidence of severe abdominal pain. 

 The back is arched, ears pendant and abdomen tucked up. When the 

 aixlomen is pressed on it Avill cause the hog to flinch vrith pain. Pain is 

 manifested )>y grunting, squealing, restlessness, champing and grinding 

 of the teeth. The body temperature is elevated. If the offending matter 

 is fermentive or obstrtictive. there is bloating. When the stomach is 

 involved, vomiting is a prominent symptom. The inflaiiimation at first 

 cMHses an intense thirst, and the bowels are constipated. Later a diar- 

 rhoea is present. The hog becomes very dull and weak, and is general!}- 

 seen lying down in a bed that it has rooted for itself in the litter. There 

 is no rule as to the- duration. It may last but a short time or continue 

 for a A\-eek or more. 



lA'sions.— The post-mortem appearance is a congested and inflamed 

 condition of the mucous membrane lining the intestines, sometimes other 

 layers of the wall and the peritoneum jrre involved. The contents are 

 mucous and tiakey in character. The lynqjhatic glands are reddened and 

 thickened, and if due to a slow infection there may be follicular ulcers in 

 the mticous membrane. 



Treatment— The hog sliould be kept in clean quarters. If vomiting 

 has not occurred, the offensive material should be got rid of by giving 

 an emetic of ipecacuan (teaspoonful to tablespoonful in a little warm 

 water). This can be followed by a laxative of castor oil, one or two 

 ounces, or calomel in from ten to thirty grain doses can be given. To 

 I'elieve the pain a teaspooiiful of laudanum in about the same amount of 



