SWINE ERYSIPELAS AND SALT POISONING 387 



combining with it a preliminary injection of a serum prepared 

 from a horse, that acts immediately and confers immunity 

 for about ten days, satisfactory results can be obtained by 

 sero-therapy skilfully carried out. 



Poisoning by Common Salt is not unusual among pigs, 

 which are peculiarly susceptible to its effects. It occurs 

 through the admixture of brine containing salt and saltpetre 

 with pig-swill, which produces acute gastritis. Arsenic 

 and other mineral poisons present in sheep-dip also induce 

 this ailment. 



" The symptoms are great thirst, loss of appetite, intestinal 

 pains, paralysis across the loins, diarrhoea ; frequently con- 

 vulsions ; the skin becoming purple. A sedative, as laudanum, 

 should be given if the animal be in convulsions, and whisky 

 if it be paralysed. 



The treatment consists in giving the stomach a rest from 

 solid food, and administering cold linseed tea, or very thin 

 well-boiled oatmeal or flour gruel. Should gas result from 

 fermentation of the partially digested food in the alimentary 

 canal, give a few drops of carbolic, mixed with a little 

 glycerine, in linseed tea. 



Outbreaks of diarrhoea among dairy cows are not in- 

 frequently associated with a mild form of common salt 

 poisoning. " The occurrence of the symptoms is found to 

 synchronize with the opening of a new pit of grains, the top 

 layers of which have a superabundance of salt. An ounce 

 or two of laudanum usually checks the disorder." 



