SECTION IV. 



DISEASES OF SWINE. 



INTRODUCTIOiV, 



The most erroneous opinions prevailed for a long time re- 

 specting the nature of swine, as also their mode of treat- 

 ment. It was fancied that this animal would thrive equally 

 well, whether kept clean or dirty, as it was supposed its 

 natural habits were to wallow in the dirt and mire. Modern 

 experience, however, has proved these fancies to be most in- 

 correct, and it is well known that pigs always prefer a clean 

 sty and clean litter to those that are dirty ; and it is an 

 equally well-ascertained fact, and they never thrive when 

 these important points are neglected. 



If it is possible, swine-sties should be constructed in 

 localities through which a running stream passes, and their 

 sleeping-houses on a sloping bank, so that they may be dry 

 and comfortable for the animals, and the inclined plane will 

 carry off any urine from the enclosure appropriated to them. 

 Those who keep a number of pigs should have separate sties 

 for the young and the old, as well as for the accommodation 

 of those which are in pig ; and where they should be kept 

 until they farrow. 



