266 THE RURAL EFFICIENCY GUIDE STOCK 



throat well with turpentine. Also make the hog swallow from 1 to 2 tea- 

 spoonfuls of turpentine. This can be put in the swill when the patient can 

 drink. Enough turpentine poured on corn to make it oily is a good preventive. 



Rheumatism. 



Colds settling in the limbs and the loss or drying up of some of the joint 

 fluid is thought to cause this ailment in animals and people. Some hogs seem 

 to be more disposed to it than others and when an exciting cause arises they 

 become affected immediately. It is very common, yet hard to treat. 



Symptoms. Indisposition to move ; languor ; dullness ; extreme lameness 

 in one or more limbs; swelling; heat; or tenderness of a tendon, joint or 

 bunch of muscles. The soreness may shift from one joint to another. 



Treatment. Give the pigs warm, well-littered houses to go into any time 

 they choose. Feed steamed or boiled food and sour milk so as to get a bowel 

 action. Good liniments are usually used and can be made at home from 

 vinegar, eggs, turpentine and even lard added. Give a tablespoonful of cod- 

 liver oil to each pig once or twice a day in the feed. Cod-liver oil often not 

 only cures rheumatism, both chronic and acute, but also greatly improves the 

 condition of the pigs. 



Rickets. 



This is a condition in hogs caused by lack of proper foods containing 

 lime salts and affects the bones. Cold, damp buildings, improper feeding, 

 infection and weak constitutions are causes of the lack of health. The ribs 

 and long bones of the legs are most affected. The bones become thicker than 

 usual and the gait is stiff and painful. Discharges as in catarrh of the stomach 

 take place. 



Treatment. Correct improper conditions, giving plenty of sunshine, 

 fresh air, exercise, food, and tonics are the best remedies. Plenty of lime salts 

 in the foods, lime in the drinking water and bone meal, will strengthen the 

 bones. 



Ringworm. 



This may break out over the body but is uncommon in hogs. It appears 

 in the form of rings and the hair drops from the skin in ringlike patches, the 

 center of the patches becoming dry and the edges moist. Sweet oil is good 

 if well rubbed in; kerosene will cleanse it thoroughly. Or apply iodine with 

 a brush. Sulphur and lard keeps the sore soft and helps it heal. 



Scaly Skin Disease. 



Exposure to heat and cold during all seasons causes skin to become frost- 

 bitten and crack, often making pus-like sores which scale over. 



Symptoms. Appearance of pimples from which fluid oozes. This fluid 

 hardens and forms scales which come off. 



