?5 



to treat them, as they are apt to scatter the disease and become badly stunted and 

 deformed." 



If treatment is adopted from the first appearance of trouble, the disease is not 

 too difficult to cure. 



Thumps. 



This disease is caused by a disordered digestion which irritates the nerves 

 connected with the diaphragm, causing sudden contractions of the diaphragm at 

 irregular intervals. The contractions or spasms of the diaphragm cause a jerking 

 movement of the flank, which is a characteristic symptom of the disease. The pig 

 becomes unthrifty and stunted, and very young pigs are likely to succumb or to 

 become practically worthless. 



Too liberal a supply of feed and too little exercise will often bring on the 

 trouble. Young pigs often contract the disease before they are weaned if they 

 have a good mother and are not given much exercise, and it is usually the finest 

 and fattest pig in the litter which is the first to go wrong. 



Treatment is mainly preventive, and hence the necessity for providing exer- 

 cise for young pigs, especially if their mother is a liberal milker and the pigs 

 become very fat. Judicious feeding and exercise will entirely prevent the disease. 

 If a case occurs, it is a signal that a change in methods should be made at once. 

 Sometimes it is difficult to obtain exercise for young pigs in cold weather, and some 

 recommend shutting them in a pen away from the mother for an hour or so twice 

 a day. As a rule, this plan will stimulate the laziest of them to take considerable 

 exercise. 



Inflammation of the Udder. 



Heavy milkers are most liable to have this trouble. Whatever the cause, the 

 disease calls for prompt treatment. Dr. R. A. Craig, in his excellent book, 

 " Diseases of Swine," recommends the following treatment : 



"Milking the sow's udder two or three times a day will usually relieve its 

 congested condition. A physic of Epsom salts should be given every other day, 

 and a sloppy diet fed. 



" In case the udder becomes inflamed, it should be kneaded gently with the 

 fingers, and the following ointment applied daily: Extract of belladonna and gum 

 camphor (one drachm of each), and vaseline, (three ounces). Hot fomentations 

 may also be used. 



" Sore teats should be bathed daily with white lotion (one part zinc sulphate, 

 three-fourths of a part lead acetate, and thirty parts water) until healed.'' 



Eczema. 



Eczema, and similar skin troubles, can usually be successfully treated by 

 washing or spraying with a one per cent, solution of creolin, or some of the well- 

 known tar disinfectants. The hog should be kept in a clean, dry place, and out of 

 the sun until cured. It sometimes requires time to effect a cure, and the treatment 

 should be given every day until the disease is conquered. 



Eheumatism. 



In northern latitudes, rheumatism often occurs among swine, especially during 

 cdld, damp weather. Damp, ill-ventilated pens are a common cause, and it may 



