SWINE— CARE AND MANAGEMENT. 



239 



and purging freely, and these frequently 

 fail. Many nostrums have been suggest- 

 ed, but few are of any utility. It is im- 

 portant to keep the issues on the inside 

 of the fore legs, just below the knee, 

 thoroughly cleansed. 



Give half an ounce of Rochelle salts, 

 in a pint of thoroughwort tea. If the 

 bowels are not moved in the course of 

 twelve hours, repeat the dose. A light 

 diet for a few days will generally com- 

 plete the cure. 



SWINE, Jaundice in. — This disease is 

 recognized by the yellow tint of the con- 

 junctiva (white of the eye), loss of appe- 

 tite, etc. The remedy is : Powdered 

 golden seal, half an once; powdered sul- 

 phur, one-fourth of an ounce ; powdered 

 blue-flag, half an ounce ; flaxseed, one 

 pound ; mix, and divide into four parts, 

 and give one every night. The food 

 must be boiled, and a small quantity of 

 salt added to it. 



SOWS, Near Farrowing, Treatment of. — 

 During the whole period of pregnancy 

 sows should be moderately well fed, but 

 not so much as to produce much fatness, 

 as this would be the means of reducing 

 the number of the litter, or risk them be- 

 ing smothered by their unwieldy dam ly- 

 ing down on them. As farrowing ap- 

 proaches, the food must be semi-liquid or 

 gently laxative, since costiveness at this 



period generally fosters fever, and hence 

 sows devour their offspring. Gentle ex- 

 ercise is beneficial to all pregnant healthy 

 animals, and for this the pen should be 

 roomy. It is best to protect the sow 

 against injury from other pigs. The pen 

 should be airy and clean, and, until the 

 last day or two of pregnancy, comforta- 

 bly littered. As the time approaches, or 

 when uneasiness, or the piling of litter 

 for a bed, shows its near advent, clear 

 out the pen, and cover it with "a thin lit- 

 ter of chaff only. This is necessary to 

 prevent smothering the pigs, particularly 

 if the sow be large or fat. Soon remove 

 the pigs when they are brought forth, 

 helping them away until after the after- 

 birth. In all circumstances the after- 

 birth should be removed at once. How- 

 ever natural it may be for the wild ani- 

 mal to devour this, the practice, if allow- 

 ed among domesticated swine, develops 

 the propensity to devour their offspring, a 

 drink of milk gruel, or Indian or oatmeal 

 and hot water will be at once grateful 

 and supporting to the sow during and af- 

 ter parturition ; and as soon as the secre- 

 tion of milk is freely established, the diet 

 should be abundant, soft and laxative. 

 The pen should be kept clean. The litter 

 of chaff should be of a limited amount for 

 a week, until the pigs can be better able 

 to protect themselves. 



