DISEASES OF SWINE 191 



as they are thus less likely to get an overdose. Feed 

 laxative food. Clean and disinfect troughs and feeding 

 floors. Also give prescription on first page of this 

 chapter. 



THUMPS 



Cause : Disorders of the digestive system from over- 

 loading the stomach and causing irritation of the nerves 

 leading to the diaphragm, which is the membrane that 

 separates the lungs and heart from the intestines, 

 stomach, liver and spleen. It is a spasm of this mem- 

 brane that causes a hog or pig to have ''Thumps.'' In- 

 sufficient exercise ; a large number of pigs may become 

 affected at the same time when closely confined. 



Symptoms : Jerking of the flanks ; the pig or hog be- 

 comes very weak and stunted in a very short time. 



Tbeatment: Kemove the cause. In pigs, when first 

 affected, careful feeding and exercise will generally 

 effect a cure. In some cases, where the pigs are very 

 small, it is well to take them away from the mother, per- 

 mitting them to nurse very little. Give them Castor Oil 

 in teaspoonful doses, and compel them to exercise. It 

 may be necessary to give them Chloral Hydrate ten to 

 fifteen grains two or three times a day diluted in a tea- 

 spoonful of water. Where the pigs will not eat mashes 

 or drink milk, give them medicine by force with a 

 teaspoon. 



After Treatment : Give hog regulator and tonic as 

 prescribed on first page of this chapter. 



WHIP WORM 



This worm is very uncommon, but occasionally is 

 found in the large intestines. 



Cause: The eggs become imbedded in the manure, 

 bedding, etc., and then mix with the feed and drinking 

 water and are taken into the digestive canal where they 

 develop into matured worms. This worm is from one to 



