138 SWINE DISEASES 



Symptoms. The onset of this trouble is sudden. 

 The affected articulations become swollen and are very 

 sensitive to palpation; the animal refuses to place weight 

 on them or, if compelled to do so, expresses pain. If 

 articulations of more than one leg are simultaneously 

 affected the animal remains lying down, arising only 

 after considerable urging. There is usually some rise of 

 temperature and a diminished desire for food, or inappe- 

 tence. The disease runs a variable course, the attacks 

 being intermittent. An attack usually continues for 

 about two weeks, then the animal apparently recovers, 

 but sooner or later the attacks reccur. 



Treatment. The treatment for articular rheumatism 

 is practically the same as for muscular rheumatism. 

 Provide good quarters, and administer laxatives and 

 salicylates. The outcome of the disease is uncertain, 

 and if the animals are in butcher condition they should 

 be disposed of several days after the cessation of the 

 symptoms of an attack. 



Rickets or Rachitis 



This is essentially a disease due to some disturbance 

 of metabolism, but since the lesions are manifested 

 principally in the bones it may be considered in this 

 chapter. 



Rickets is relatively common in swine, and is confined 

 principally to young pigs. The disease is more prevalent 

 in some localities than in other sections of the country, 

 and the condition appears to prevail more extensively 

 during some years than others. 



Etiology. The specific exciting cause of rickets is 

 unknown. The condition is due to an insufficient deposit 

 of lime in the bone. It may be due to an insufficient 

 lime in the food, to intoxication which may neutralize or 

 prevent the deposit of lime in the bone, or infection may 

 be a causative factor. 



Lesions. The condition is not confined to any 

 particular type or group of bones; however, the lesions 

 are usually most pronounced in the long bones of the 



