416 HORSE, SWINE AND POULTRY DISEASES 



ten to twenty ; if warm or excited and during exercise, from sixty to 

 about one hundred. In hogs, normal respirations are frequently 

 accompanied by respiratory sounds. In disease the respirations may 

 be quickened and their character changed, as in pleurisy, peritonitis, 

 pneumonia, etc. In the abdominal form of respiration, the move- 

 ments of the walls of the chest are limited. This occurs in pleurisy. 

 In the thorascic form of respiration the abdominal wall is held rigid 

 and the movement of the walls of the chest make up for the de- 

 ficiency. This latter condition is seen in peritonitis. 



In inflammation of the air passages and irritation from dust or 

 parasites, the secretions from the lining membranes are modified 

 and there is usually sneezing or coughing. In the different diseases 

 of the respiratory organs, the modified sounds are of much value in 

 the diagnosis and in indicating the progress. 



Temperature. The body temperature is taken per rectum, the 

 ordinary fever thermometer being used. The normal temperature 

 of a hog will vary from 100.5 to 105 degrees Fahrenheit, the aver- 

 age being about 103. In order to determine the normal, it is well 

 to take that of some of the other animals in the pen and make a 

 comparison. Exercise and warm pens will increase body tempera- 

 ture, cold weather and drinking cold water will lower it. 



Mucous Membrane. In health the visible mucous membranes 

 are usually a pale reddish color, and when inflamed they are a 

 bright red. In collapse, internal hemorrhage, impoverished or 

 bloodless conditions of the body the membranes are pale. In indi- 

 gestion, that lining the mouth may appear coated; if irritated, ex- 

 cessively moist; and if the hog is feverish, dry. In serious diseases, 

 especially febrile disturbances, secretions may accumulate around 

 the margins of the eyelids and the eyes appear dull. 



Skin. Healthy hogs should have a smooth, rather heavy, glossy 

 coat and the skin feel mellow and soft. When the skin loses its 

 elasticity, becomes hard, rigid and scurvy and the hair rough and 

 harsh, it indicates a lack of nutrition and an unhealthy condition 

 of the body. When the coat is thin or the hog affected with external 

 parasites, irritation from the sun and parasites may cause it to be- 

 come greatly changed. 



Excretions. The character of the excretions from the kidneys 

 and bow r els become modified in some diseases, and should be con- 

 sidered in making a diagnosis. 



Nervous System. The state of the nervous system is indicated 

 by dullness, excitability, or delirium. The hog may stagger, walk 

 stiffly, drop the head, turn the head to one side, walk in a circle, 

 have convulsions or show paralysis of a part of the whole body, as 

 a result of nerve involvement. These symptoms may occur as an 

 involvement in several diseases, or arise from primary affections 

 of the nervous system. (Ind. B. 100.) 



GIVING MEDICINE. 



The different methods of giving medicine are as follows: (a) 

 by way of the mouth, in the feed or as a drench ; (b) by injection 



