SWINE. 405 



The rendering tanks established in almost every locality in which swine plague is or has 

 been prevailing, contribute very much, directly and indirectly, to the spreading of the dis 

 ease. They contribute directly by disseminating the infectious principle wherever the tank- 

 agents, who collect the dead hogs from the farmers, travel with their wagons; and by 

 contaminating and infecting, in many instances at least, the waters of streamlets, creeks, and 

 rivers with such parts of the dead hogs as are not worth rendering, but which constitute the 

 principal seat of the morbid process. Indirectly they contribute by inducing the farmers to 

 leave their dead animals lying around unburied, thus remaining a source of infection until 

 the dead -hog man comes and takes them away. If transportation of swine that have died 

 of the disease is prohibited by law, the numerous rendering tanks will soon disappear, and 

 another source of infection will thus be closed. 



The disease is spread not only by the transportation of dead hogs, but also by that of 

 diseased ones. That such is the case becomes apparent by the fact that swine plague in its 

 spreading not only follows the course of streamlets, creeks, and rivers, but also travels along 

 the line of railroads and public highways. All traffic in, and transportation of, diseased hogs 

 and pigs, and of animals that have died of swine plague, should, therefore, be stopped; and 

 sending diseased swine to market a very common practice at present should be made a 

 criminal offense. Further, a law which would compel every owner of swine to take care of 

 them, to confine them to his own premises, and not allow them to run at large on public high 

 ways, etc., would, if executed and complied with, do a great deal of good, and prevent a great 

 many infections. It has happened very often that a stray hog or pig has carried the disease 

 into a healthy herd; and, vice versa, it has happened also perhaps just as often that a hog 

 or pig has become infected while among other swine and, coming home again, has introduced 

 swine plague into the herd to which it belonged. 



As to a treatment of diseased animals, there can be no doubt that a good hygienic treat 

 ment a strict separation of the diseased animals from each other, so as to prevent any 

 further influx of the infectious principle, is advisable. Swine diseased with the plague evince 

 very often a vitiated appetite for the excrements and the urine of their companions, and as 

 these excretions contain immense numbers of Schizomycetes, spherical and rod-shaped, and are 

 therefore highly infectious, more and more infection or disease-producing elements will be 

 introduced into the animal organism if that vitiated appetite is satisfied. Clean quarters and 

 clean troughs (it is very important to clean the troughs after each meal), clean and fresh well- 

 water to drink, clean food to eat, reasonable and adequate protection against the inclemency 

 of the weather (against heat as well as against pold, rain, snow, etc.), and pure air to breathe, 

 will go a good way and may save many an animal.&quot; 



Burning the carcasses of hogs that have died of this disease is a safe and easy means of 

 disposing of them. A little kerosene oil poured over the body, and a small amount of fuel, 

 will soon accomplish the cremating process. 



Inflammation of the Lungs. See PNEUMONIA. 



Inversion of the Yagina and Uterus. This occasionally occurs with swine, and 

 is generally caused by difficult parturition. &quot;Wash the protruding parts carefully in clean, 

 tepid water, then lubricate the hand in sweet oil, or fresh melted lard, and gently return the 

 parts to their natural position. This should be done as carefully as possible, as the parts are 

 very delicate in structure and easily injured. It should also be done as soon as possible after 

 the inversion takes place. After being returned, it will be well to secure a truss of some 

 kind over the part to prevent a recurrence of the same difficulty, which would be very likely 

 to follow if this were not done. A well known veterinary surgeon records the following 

 device in such cases: 



&quot;This is best accomplished by using a truss cut out of leather; an old boot top will do 

 in case of emergency. A strap like a surcingle is passed around the body behind the fore-legs, 



