434 HORSE, SWINE AND POULTRY DISEASES 



feeding and abundant enforced exercise will then prevent the oc- 

 currence pf thumps, which may be set down as the results of bad 

 management. It seldom pays to treat badly affected pigs. Preven- 

 tion is of far greater importance than treatment, but the latter 

 should consist in giving the affected pig a dose of castor oil and fol- 

 lowing with teaspoonful doses of paregoric, or 5 to 15 drop doses of 

 laudanum two or three times a day to allay distress. Then feed on 

 light, easily digested food, and have the pig live an outdoor life. 

 (Wis. B. 184.) 



PALPITATION, SPASM OF THE DIAPHRAGM, THUMPS. 



True palpitation is a sudden violent beating of the heart not con- 

 nected with any structural disease of the organ. It sets in suddenly, 

 the cardiac sounds are louder than normal, the beats are quickened 

 and the animal may be restless and appear anxious. This affection 

 sometimes occurs during the course of some digestive disorder. Ex- 

 citement and exercise may also cause it. Spasm of the diaphragm is 

 quite common in pigs. Digestive disorders, especially overloading 

 of the stomach and lack of exercise, are the main causes. A number 

 of pigs in the litter or in the same pen may become affected at the 

 same time. This is especially true of litters not given sufficient ex- 

 ercise. 



Symptoms. There is a sudden jerking movement of the flank. 

 When the pig is standing quietly, this is very noticeable, and may be 

 of such violence as to move the body backwards and forwards. It 

 may be accompanied by a sound that can be heard some distance. 

 These contractions are not rhythmical, but occur more frequently at 

 one time than at another. After exercise the jerking is violent, and 

 after a full meal, is more pronounced than when the stomach is 

 empty. Thumps interfere with the pig's appetite to a certain extent 

 and they do not thrive, becoming stunted in some cases. Sometimes 

 they lose flesh quite rapidly and become very thin. The course of 

 the disease is from a few days to several weeks. 



Treatment. Exercise alone will generally effect a cure. When 

 the disease develops in a litter, they should be turned on pasture and 

 given plenty of opportunity to run around. If this cannot be done 

 they must be given exercise in some other way, as placing them in a 

 pen or box away from the mother. From three to fifteen drops of 

 tincture of opium can be administered in a little oil every three or 

 four hours to give relief. It is well to administer a physic of raw lin- 

 seed oil at the beginning of the trouble. (Ind. B. 100.) 



CONGESTION OF THE BRAIN. 



Causes. In congestion, the blood vessels of the brain become 

 engorged with blood. Fat, plethoric hogs are predisposed to this 

 condition. The exciting causes are sunstroke, exertion, tumors and 

 parasites pressing on the brain, and blows on the head. Congestion 

 may occur as a complication in some of the infectious diseases. Ane- 

 mia of the brain is due to an insufficient amount of blood in the 

 brain, and may be caused by a weakness in the heart action or severe 

 hemorrhage. 



