THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM 45 



ashes and iron salts are preventive but not curative 

 agents. The treatment of affected animals has not been 

 successful. 



Scours in Sucklings 



In some sections of the country scours in suckling 

 pigs has become a menace to the swine-raising industry. 



Etiology. There is apparently no single cause that is 

 responsible for the various cases of scours. Unfavorable 

 surroundings, such as damp, dark, and dingy hog houses, 

 predispose to this condition. In some instances, mammitis 

 of the sow is a causative factor. Improper foods, such as 

 moldy or fermented slops, probably result in elimination 

 of injurious substances in the mother's milk that will 

 create in the pigs digestive disturbances resulting in 

 diarrhea. Scours may also result from infection with 

 modified colon bacilli, Bacillus necrophorous and, it has 

 been reported, certain coccidia are responsible for a type 

 of diarrhea that is frequently fatal to suckling pigs. It 

 is probable also that intestinal parasites may be respon- 

 sible for catarrhal enteritis and an associated diarrhea. 

 Artificial feeding is likely to produce digestive derange- 

 ment and diarrhea, and exposure to extreme temperature 

 variation must be considered as a causative factor of 

 pig diarrhea. This condition may occur in pigs varying 

 in age from two days to several weeks. 



Lesions. There are no constant lesions associated 

 with scours in pigs. The intestinal content is usually 

 quite liquid and may be putrid. Parasites may be 

 observed. Some irritation of the intestinal mucosa may 

 obtain, and there may be ulcerations. 



Symptoms. In pig r diarrhea the evacuations are 

 pasty, the discharges being of a grayish or slate color. 

 Later the discharge becomes more watery and fetid, 

 and the pig's tail and hind parts become soiled. Some 

 pigs eat heartily, while in others the appetite gradually 

 diminishes. The affected pigs evidence some abdominal 

 pain. They emaciate rapidly, become weak, and soon 



