754 BOAKD OF AOHICULTUKE. 



pour (did w.itcr on tlu' lioad. bill not upon the body. As a sdiuulant 

 alcohol (one tablospoonl'ul) or tincture of nux vomica (one teaspoonful) can 

 be given in a little water. 



Paralysis of the Posterior Part of the Body. Causes.— Small centers 

 of inflammation in the spinal cord due to injiuies in the region of tlie 

 back will cause a paralysis of the hind parts. Pressure on the cord from 

 tumors, parasites (cysticerous) or an overfat condition Avill also cause it. 

 It is not uncommon for paralysis to occur among a number of hogs in 

 a pen or when shipped in cars or in a crate. Lack of exercise, indiges- 

 tion and constipation are said to cause this condition. This disease is 

 usually called "kidney disease." 



Symptoms.— The paralysis may develop suddenly or* come on grad 

 ually and nearly always involves both hind legs. When the disease 

 develops slowly the first symptom noticed is an unsteady gait, the hind 

 legs do not follow exactly in line with the front ones, become crossed ov 

 instead of walking directly forward the body appears to go sidewise. 

 After lying down there is more or lesss difficulty in getting up. The 

 symptoms become progressively worse until the hog simply drags the 

 hind parts. If the paralysis develops suddenly the pig is found dragging 

 the hind parts and unable -to get up on the hind legs. The appetite is 

 usually good in the early stage and may remain so. Pressure over the 

 affected region does not cause the animal pain. Sometimes it will squeal 

 when moved. The appetite may become poor and the bowels constipated, 

 depending upon the extent of the lesions. If recovery does not take 

 place within a few days or a week the case is not apt to terminate 

 favorably. 



Treatment. — This consists in moving the hog to a comfortable pen 

 where it can not be disturbed and feeding it mostly on slops. It is very 

 necessary that no di'y feed be given in otder to prevent constipation. 

 Early in the disease a cathartic of Epsom salts should be given and 

 repeated If necessary. This may be supplemented with an enema of 

 water and glycerine. From live to ten drops of tincture of nux vomica 

 should be given two or three times a day. Counterirritation along the 

 back by means of blistering liniments (oil of turpentine ten parts, croton 

 oil one part) and the actual cautery can be used. Dr. Peters, of Nebraska, 

 recommends the use of the actual cautery. To fire the back of a hog, 

 number sixteen wire can be used. There should be fifteen or sixteen 

 pieces about a foot in length and slightly pointed at the end. The 

 pointed end of these should be placed in a charcoal or corn cob fire and 

 heated to a white heat. When ready for use, they can be held in a 

 pair of pincers, and the skin punctured at points an inch or two apart in 

 the region of the loins. The firing must be through the skin and into 

 the tissue beneath, or it will not give satisfactory results. The hog 

 should not be forced to walk as it will retard recovery. After becoming 

 able to walk, keep it away from the other pigs for a few weeks. 



