DISEASES OF SAA'INE 179 



sioiis. After this is accomplished, sew the inner lining 

 of the abdominal cavity with absorbent silk or cat-gut. 

 Then sew the outer skin with cotton or linen cord and 

 your operation is complete. Feed the hog sparingly for 

 a few days following the operation on easily digested, 

 laxative foods. 



NETTLE RASH 

 (Urticaria) 



Cause: Irritations of the skin produced by sprink- 

 ling hogs with irritating solutions and powders, or from 

 irritating dips when treating for lice, etc. Feeding 

 highly nitrogenous food predisposes hogs to this disease ; 

 also filth, poorly drained sheds and pens; is especially 

 common in young pigs. Nettle Eash is not contagious, 

 but what produces it in one hog may produce it in several 

 at the same time. 



Symptoms: Red, swollen blotches appear on the skin 

 very suddenly, especially about the ears and the inside 

 of the thighs, perhaps due to the skin being thin and 

 deprived of hair. The hog rubs it on account of the 

 intense itching, and he will not thrive when in this con- 

 dition. In most cases there is a fluid oozing from the 

 blotches, causing dirt and filth to adhere to the hair. 

 However, if the disease is properly treated, a recovery 

 is sure to follow in about two weeks. 



Treatment: Prevention against this disease is most 

 important, and it consists in keeping shoats and pigs 

 in clean, well ventilated sheds and pens. Do not sprinkle 

 them with irritating solutions or powders, or irritating 

 dips, but when the disease once shows itself give each 

 pig or hog affected a dose of Epsom Salts, one ounce 

 to every tw^enty-five pounds of hog weight, in feed, swill 

 or drinking Avater. If the weather is hot, keep them in 

 a clean, cool place, also purify their blood by feeding 

 regulator and tonic as prescribed on first page of this 

 chapter. 



