10 May, 1919.] Common Ailments of the Pig. 279 



COMMON AILMENTS OF THE PIG. 



R. T. Archer, Senior Dairy Inspector. 



It is frequently said that the pig is a difficult animal to treat when 

 sick. The best thing, of course, is to guard against disease by treating the 

 animals in such a way as to prevent it. Where sickness is experienced, 

 the information given in the following pages should be of assistance to the 

 pig-farmer. 



Constipation. 



One of the most prevalent sources of trouble amongst pigs is constipa- 

 tion, and although apparently a simple ailment, often rapidly leads to 

 serious results. If, however, plenty of green -feed be supplied to the 

 animals, there is little likelihood of their becoming constipated. As soon 

 as it is noticed that the fseces are dry and hard, action should be taken 

 to alter this condition. Pigs' dung should never be too hard nor too 

 soft. If fed on dry food, care should be taken that plenty of water be 

 available. Bran is of great assistance in keeping the bowels in order, 

 and the amount should be increased if there is any sign of constipation. 

 Wlien the pigs are fattening, their feed should be more sloppy than 

 usual. 



A prominent authority, discussing constipation in pigs, says :— " It is 

 important to remember that in this disease the alimentary canal is over- 

 burdened with matter, and for this reason the supply of food should, for a 

 time, be much restricted or altogether withheld." 



The withdrawal of solid food for twenty-four hours, and the substitu- 

 tion of a simple wash, with a small allowance of roots, will lighten the 

 burden of the bowels, and assist in restoring their normal activity. 



A bold dose of sulphur and Epsom salts may then be administered in 

 a little tempting food, or, should this be refused, castor oil may be offered 

 in the same way; where both are declined, one of them must be forcibly 

 but carefully administered, and again repeated if the bowels do not 

 respond in twenty-four hours. 



Injections of warm soap and water will prove serviceable in relieving 

 the jDosterior bowel, and should be administered once or twice a day until 

 a free action is induced. 



If there is any tendency to a return of the constipation after once the 

 bowels have been relieved, a little common salt and sulphur with Epsom 

 salts should be given in the food for three or four days. Where habitual 

 constipation exists, the most reliable corrective will be found in a liberal 

 daily ration of roots or a little linseed oil mixed with the ordinary food 

 morning and evening. In heavy breeding sows with costive habit, one or 

 the other should always be provided where a run of grass is not avail- 

 able. 



Diarrhoea. 



Diarrhoea usually results from direct action of some irritant in the 

 water or food. It may also occur as a symptom of a variety of diseases. 



The liability to diarrhoea is much greater in young than older pigs. 

 The particular causes of the complaint are sudden changes in the food, 

 as when rank rapidly-grown grass or certain acrid plants are taken after 



