The Prevention of Hog Diseases 471 



by giving the hog a physic in small doses with its feed 

 daily or at two- or three-day intervals. 



Spasm of the diaphragm or thumps. 



This disease is characterized by a jerky contraction of 

 the flank muscles. It may be differentiated from palpita- 

 tion, a functional disorder of the heart, by determining 

 the relation of the heart beats to the abrupt contractions 

 of the flank muscles. It is very common in young pigs, 

 and rarely occurs in mature hogs. 



The spasmodic contractions of the diaphragm are caused 

 by irritation of the diaphragmatic nerves. This condition 

 is due to gastric irritation resulting from insufficient 

 exercise and a liberal ration. 



Prevention, which consists in avoiding conditions that 

 may cause the disease, is more important than the curative 

 treatment. As soon as symptoms of " thumps " are shown, 

 the ration should be cut and the animal forced to take 

 exercise. Young pigs may be exercised in a well-bedded 

 pen, or placed in a pen adjoining the mother's for a few 

 hours daily. The mother should be given from 2 to 6 

 ounces of linseed-oil, depending on her age and weight. 

 Young hogs may receive from f to 2 ounces of linseed-oil. 



CASTRATION 



Castration of the male hog is usually performed by the 

 owner or attendant. It is not the common practice to 

 call a veterinarian and the operation may be performed 

 in a very careless indifferent manner. Unless the operator 

 is experienced or willing to practice correct methods, it 

 is more profitable to turn it over to an experienced careful 

 person. 



Pigs may be castrated when a few weeks or a few months 



