228 SWINE DISEASES 



pus and surrounding tissues may also be infiltrated with 

 pus. 



Metastatic abscesses may occur in various organs, as 

 in the liver and spleen. If the infection extend to the 

 bladder there will also be a purulent cystitis. 



Symptoms. The symptoms usually appear in the 

 first week of life, although they may occur in the second 

 or third w r eek after farrowing. The affected pigs will be 

 lame and indisposed to move. On examination one or 

 more of the articulations are found to be swollen and 

 sensitive, the tarsal joints being most frequently involved. 

 There may be diarrhea. The course of the disease is 

 usually brief, the pigs as a rule dying on the second or 

 third day. 



Treatment. Curative treatment is of little value. 

 The disease may be prevented by providing clean pens 

 and keeping them clean before and after farrowing. 



SPASMS OF THE DIAPHRAGM (THUMPS) 



Thumps is a condition caused by violent contractions 

 of the diaphragm, and is relatively common in small pigs. 



Etiology. This condition is apparantly due to some 

 interference of the diaphragm, and is usually associated 

 with overloading of the stomach or insufficient exercise. 



Symptoms. There is a sudden jerking of the flanks. 

 This symptom is very prominent when it occurs in a pig 

 that is standing quietly, and there may be an accompany- 

 ing sound that is quite distinct. There is an irregularity 

 in the frequency of the contractions; sometimes they 

 occur in rapid succession, followed by a period of appar- 

 ently a normal condition, then another series of con- 

 tractions. Exercise and a full stomach aggravate the 

 condition. The pig may become weak and emaciated. 

 The course of the disease varies from one week to two or 

 three months. 



Treatment. Good nourishing food and plenty of 

 exercise are usually sufficient to correct spasms of the 

 diaphragm. Small doses of from two to three drops of 

 tincture of opium, administered with oil, will usually give 

 temporary relief. 



