138 SWINE IN AMERICA 



dose of epsoni salts to move the bowels thoroughly. Af- 

 terward give all the exercise possible and cut down her 

 feed so tliat she will lose flesh. For ten davs give her 

 five grains of iodide of potash night and morning. Stop 

 for a few days if it makes her sick. Repeat in two 

 weeks. Keep the boar away from her for a month, then 

 put him in a pen next to her where he can smell her 

 through a slat partition. This may help to bring her 

 around. If not, she should be fattened and killed, as 

 barrenness is often incurable." 



ABORTION 



Abortion in sows is not as likely to be infectious as 

 is the case in other animals. In a case of abortion, 

 however, it is good policy to separate the sow from the 

 rest of the herd, as it may be an infectious case, and, if 

 so, the pen should be disinfected and the dead pigs and 

 afterbirth well buried or burned. Infectious abortion 

 does not usually show as marked symptoms as. sporadic 

 abortion, which is generally due to accident, although it 

 may come about through bad feed, chilling or disease. 

 Precaution sliould be taken with pregnant sows to pre- 

 vent accidents, such as fright by dogs or other animals, 

 kicks, blows, or any rough handling. 



The symptoms of abortion depend somewhat upon the 

 stage of pregnancy. Sickness, shivering and indications 

 of pain in the abdomen are some of the symptoms. The 

 sow will usually make a nest, as for farrowing, if not 

 too ill to do so. When abortion occurs the sow should 

 be made as quiet and comfortable as possible. Dr. 

 Robert A. Craig recommends giving tincture of opium 



