166 SWINE DISEASES 



There may also be defecation, urination, and discharge 

 of semen. The seizures are of short duration, rarely 

 exceeding five minutes. The attacks may occur in rapid 

 succession, or considerable time may elapse between 

 attacks. 



Treatment. Treatment is of no practical value, 

 except to remove the cause when known. The affected 

 animals should be destroyed if the seizures are frequent 

 and severe, or in mild cases the animals should be pre- 

 pared for market. They should never be used for breed- 

 ing, as apparently the condition is inherited. 



Dentition Eclampsia 



A condition called dentition eclampsia occurs in young 

 pigs. This is very similar to epilepsy. It is caused by 

 the irritation resulting from the eruption of teeth, and 

 future attacks are easily obviated by lancing the gums. 



Chorea 



Chorea is a neurotic condition characterized by rapid 

 contractions of muscles or groups of muscles. 



Etiology. In many instances chorea appears to be 

 purely functional. Some have attributed it to Thrombosis ; 

 toxic substances may be a factor; in producing it and in 

 some cases malnutrition predisposes and possibly excites 

 the condition. 



No constant tissue change has been identified with 

 chorea. 



Symptoms. Twitching of muscles or groups of 

 muscles more or less continuously except during sleep 

 characterizes chorea. The disease may be outgrown in 

 the course of one or two months, or it may become 

 chronic. 



Treatment. Various drugs have been recommended 

 to relieve this condition, but the best plan is to destroy 

 pigs that have aggravated cases, and to fatten and market 

 those having mild attacks. 



