Thumps In Pics 153 



Veterinarians sometimes have to take the pigs out through the side by 

 cutting into the womb back of the last rib. With reasonable caje about 

 one-half of such operations should be successful. Pig forceps, as a 

 usual thing have no advantage over the number nine wire. However, on 

 page 17, fig. 1, a desirable kind is shown. With these it is impossible 

 to close up on the lining membrane of the sow. Forceps that will close 

 up tight should not be used. A sow that has difficulty in farrowing 

 should be washed out with a solution of dip, lysol or creolin once a day 

 for three or four days. 1/4 to 1/2 pi"t of any of the above to one gallon 

 of water is sufficiently strong for this purpose. 



THUMPS IN PIGS 



This is a digestive disorder comparable to hiccoughs in man. It is 

 caused by too much feed and lack of exercise. It is common in pet pigs. 

 The treatment is to give them a dose of salts or raw oil preferably the 

 latter, make them exercise, check up on the feed for a few days and feed 

 laxative feeds, as grass, oil meal, middlings, bran, etc. 



SCOURS IN PIGS 



Scours is nearly always caused by improper feeding of the sow, un- 

 hygienic surroundings and cholera. 



Experience has led me to believe that half of the making of a good 

 hog is in the feeding before the pig is born. Sows fed tankage, a limited 

 amount of corn and pasture produce pigs far superior to the sows re- 

 ceiving no tankage. Too many farmers make the bad mistake of begin- 

 ning the feeding of protein concentrates just before or after farrowing 

 which causes the pigs to scour unless fed very judiciously at first. Any 

 change of feed at farrowing time may cause scours. Too much feed just 

 after the sow farrows even though she is used to it, may cause scours in 

 the pigs. 



TREATMENT 



Sharply reduce the feed of the sow for several feeds, and if the pigs 

 do not improve, give the sow with a syringe, 2 drams (2 teaspoonfuls) of 

 tincture of opium (laudanum) in i^ pint of water every 8 hours, till the 



