184 THE VETERINARIAN 



Symptoms ; Lameness of one or more limbs, swelling 

 of the joints about the legs and feet. The hog does not 

 care to move, refusing its feed in most cases; tempera- 

 ture slightly elevated; breathing quick and short; he 

 will drink water frequently if offered. 



Tkeatment: I am of opinion that Rheumatism in 

 hogs would be a very rare disease if they were properly 

 provided with clean, dry quarters, with a liberal quantity 

 of bedding. Do not allow hogs to pile up, as it is very 

 injurious. to them. 



Medical Treatment : Consists of feeding sloppy food 

 to which add one-half dram of Sodium Salicylate two or 

 three times a day in their feed. Vegetables and green 

 grass are very beneficial in this disease, as they have a 

 cooling effect on the blood. The hog tonic and regulator 

 recommended on first page of this chapter is very bene- 

 ficial w^hen given with food of a sloppy nature. 



RICKETS 



Cause: Food deficient in mineral matter or lime; 

 filth, lack of exercise, and crowded quarters, all tend to 

 produce a softening of the bones and swelling of the 

 joints. 



Symptoms: The pigs affected generally appear in 

 good condition and seem to be doing w^ell, but suddenly 

 they become paralyzed in the hind quarters, owing to the 

 weakened condition of the bones, which sometimes frac- 

 ture without receiving injury or any additional weight 

 to that of the pig itself. The bones of the snout, back, 

 limbs and feet bend and become deformed. The pigs 

 grow weak, poor and stunted and perhaps the best treat- 

 ment is to destroy them. 



Preventive Treatment : Careful feeding of good, 

 wholesome food. This disease is very seldom seen where 

 hogs are frequently fed corn. 



Medical. Treatment : When the first siffiis of Rickets 



