DISEASES OF SWINE 433 



temperature is higher than normal, the pulse quickened and the 

 cough rather suppressed. Pain is a very prominent symptom. When 

 the sides of the chest are pressed upon with the hand the hog will 

 flinch, sometimes grunt or squeal. On auscultation friction sounds 

 are heard. In case there is an outpouring of fluid into the chest 

 cavity (hydrothorax) these sounds are not heard and all respiratory 

 sounds toward the lower part of the chest are deadened. If much 

 fluid accumulates in the chest cavity, the symptoms of pain are di- 

 minished, but the respirations are more labored and the pulse weaker. 

 Toward the later stage of the disease, the hog is greatly depressed. 

 When made to get up, it may squeal. Frequently, it is seen lying 

 on its side as though it were dead. The course of the disease is from 

 one to two weeks. In mild cases and when only a part of the pleura 

 is involved the symptoms are less severe. 



Treatment. Good care at the beginning of the attack will help 

 in aborting it. The hog should be placed in a warm, clean pen and 

 made as comfortable as possible. In a warm pen and when the hog 

 is quiet, warm packs can be applied to the sides of the chest and the, 

 hog covered with a blanket. The medicinal treatment does not 

 differ greatly from that recommended in pneumonia. A teaspoonful 

 of syrup of squills and from three to six drops of tincture of aconite 

 can be given three times daily. Sulphate of quinine, five to twenty 

 grains, and nitrate of potassium, ten or fifteen grains, can be given 

 every four hours. The same blistering liniment as recommended in 

 pneumonia can be applied to the walls of the chest. It is 'best to 

 administer a physic early in the attack, and feed the hog a light 

 sloppy diet. (Ind. B. 100.) 



FATTY DEGENERATION OF THE HEART. 



Causes. Fatty degeneration of the heart is due to overfeeding 

 and lack of exercise. The flat accumulates in masses around the 

 heart and in the muscular tissues, the natural structure being re- 

 placed by fatty granules. 



Symptoms. In this disease, the heart action is weak and ir- 

 regular. The hog is unfit for any kind of exertion and may die sud- 

 denly if this is attempted. Palpitation may occur. Treatment is 

 preventive, and consists of avoiding such conditions as would cause 

 disease. (Ind. B. 100.) 



THUMPS. 



This term is applied to that ailment of young pigs which is in- 

 dicated by spasmodic jerking motions of the flanks. These are at 

 times so severe that they move the body backward and forward. The 

 trouble is akin to hiccoughs and the contractions of the diaphragm 

 may, in some cases, be associated with palpitation of the heart. In 

 thumps there usually is derangement of the digestive organs, as well 

 as of the nerves and overfeeding and lack of exercise would seem to 

 be the common cause. The tendency of this disease apparently is 

 hereditary, pigs of pampered sows being most prone to such attacks. 



Prevalence of the trouble in a herd of hogs indicates the ad- 

 visability of infusing fresh blood by the use of vigorous boars and 

 choosing young and robust sows for breeding purposes. Careful 



