TREATMENT FOR DISEASES OF SWINE. 



Castration. 



This consists in the removal of the sex organs of the male pigs. 



Castrating Pigs. Boar pigs should be castrated when they are from two 

 to eight weeks old so that they may recover before weaning time. The 

 earlier a pig is castrated the easier it seems to be for him. A young pig can 

 easily be castrated by one person if no help is at hand. To do this stand 

 the pig on his head in a nail keg or something of a like shape to prevent his 

 troublesome resistance. If help is at hand the assistant may hold the pig in 

 position. It is usually better to have a carbolic acid solution (1 part to 50 

 of water) at hand in which to dip the knife and hands and wash off the 

 parts. Many pigs come through an operation when no disinfectant is used 

 but of course there is danger in the practice. To remove the testicles place 

 the left hand under the sack and make a bold incision large enough for the 

 testicles to escape. Separate the testicles from the covering and tie a piece 

 of linen thread around the cord to prevent bleeding. Cut the cord just above 

 the thread. If the thread does not fall off it can be pulled off in a few days. 

 If flies are troublesome it is a good plan to pour some coal oil into and over 

 the wound. 



Castrating a Boar. A boar may be castrated at almost any convenient 

 time. The operation is performed the same as for pigs unless he is ruptured. 

 If this is the case the hind quarters should be elevated a few inches. The 

 sack should be washed, then an incision made to, but not through the last 

 covering of the testicles. This should be taken out with the testicles by 

 separating it from the outer covering, forcing the testicles out, tying a string 

 around the cord about three inches above the testicles, and cutting off the 

 cord. Be sure the string is tight enough to keep the bowels from slipping 

 out If maggots develop in a wound apply buttermilk or turpentine. 



Castrating a Ridgling. In a ridgling the testicles are not in their proper 

 place but are in the body of the animal, just behind the kidneys. To remove 

 them cut him in the side about midway up and down and a little back of the 

 last rib. Make an incision large enough to admit the whole hand. Through 

 this opening the seeds can be easily found and pulled out. 



Giving a Hog Medicine. 



In drenching a hog you will find it much handier to use a rubber hose 

 instead of a bottle as the hog may break the latter. The hose is run into the 

 back part of the mouth and the medicine poured through it. 

 Will Saunders, DeWitt, la., Route 1. 



To drench a hog cut the toe from an old shoe, put the shoe into 1 

 part of the mouth and pour the medicine in at the top. I have found this 

 very handy. Will Saunders, DeWitt, la., Route 1. 



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