FAKMERS' INSTITUTES. ('J7 



ciinsfs. If tlu' tlisi'iise has once occurred iu a pen it is very apt tn vrt-nv 

 from year to year. 



■ Symptoms.— The pig becomes very weak, refuses to suckle, is feverish 

 and usually has a diarrhea. The affected joints are swollen and painful. 

 Abscesses form in different parts of the body, sometimes about the um- 

 bilicus, and may contain considerable pus. Occasionally the abscesses 

 about the joints break or one of the feet drops off. In case the pus is 

 along the umbilicus it may discharge outside and recovery take place. 

 If it discharges into the abdomen death is sure to occur. 



Tre;itment.— This is wholly preventive. If the disease exists in a 

 litter, the pen should be thoroughly disinfected and the bedding burned. 

 Sows should not be permitted to farrow close to an affected litter or in a 

 pen where an affected litter has been kept, unless it has been well 

 cleaned and disinfected. Washing the umbilical cord with a ten per cent, 

 solution of creolin or carbolic acid should be practiced when the disease 

 is present in a herd. This will cause the cord to become hard and dry. 

 and will prevent the entrance of the germs as well as disinfecting the 

 cord. 



Parasitic Diseases. The Hog Louse.— But one species of lice attack 

 hogs. It is a common parasite, however, and often appears in formidable 

 numl)ers, especially on pigs and when poor and stunted. The hair af- 

 fords the lice but little protection, and vigorous, healtliy hogs are able 

 to dislodge the pests by rubbing against the sides of the pen and against 

 one another. When hogs reach the abattoir during the warm weather the 

 adult louse is seldom found on them, but plenty of "nits" are usually 

 seen. The lice become dislodged during tlie shipment and when in the 

 pens by the frequent soakings Avith water that the hogs receive and by 

 their being packed so closely together. 



It is only when a hog is unthrifty or sick that lice are a serious men- 

 ace to the animal. When iu this condition the hog seems to be unable 

 to dislodge them and they multiply very rapidly. The bite of the hog- 

 louse is very irritating, and it lives by sucking the blood of its host. 

 The irritation from the bites makes it almost impossil)le for the hog to 

 rest, and if sick they help to increase the anemic condition. Lice are a 

 serious handicap in growing pigs, interfering with their appetite and 

 general nutrition. They are said to cause urticaria. 



Because of the thinness of the hair and the size of the parasite it is 

 (luite easily seen. The favorite seats are back of the ears, along the 

 neck, undcu- the breast, back of the arms and on the inside of the thighs; 

 in fact, any iilace where the skin is moderately thin and wliere they can 

 not be easily dislodged. 



The hog louse (Haematopinus urius muzsch) is one of the largest spe- 

 cies of the family. When full grown it measures a fourth of an inch or 

 more in length. Its general color Is gray, with ttie margins of tiie head 

 and throat and most of the abdomen dark. The head i,s quite lung, the 



