438 HORSE, SWINE AND POULTRY DISEASES 



able to move or barely able to drag the hind parts around, until hu- 

 manity prompts their destruction. 



Generally the treatment is to give a purgative of from one-half 

 to two ounces of castor oil, depending upon the size of the animal, 

 followed by nourishing, easily digested food. Rubbing the back 

 vigorously with a good veterinary liniment once daily is also bene- 

 ficial. If the animal is unable to move about, its position should be 

 changed frequently, and from one side to the other. (Va. B. 189.) 



PARALYSIS OF THE POSTERIOR PART OF THE BODY. 



Causes. Small centers of inflammation in the spinal cord due 

 to injuries in the region of the back will cause a paralysis of the hind 

 parts. Pressure on the cord from tumors, parasites (cysticercus), or 

 an overfat condition will also cause it. It is not uncommon for 

 paralysis to occur among a number of hogs in a pen when shipped in 

 cars or in a crate. Lack of exercise, indigestion and constipation are 

 said to cause this condition. This disease is usually called "kidney 

 disease." 



Symptoms. The paralysis may develop suddenly or come on 

 gradually and nearly always involves both hind legs. When the dis- 

 ease develops slowly the first symptom noticed is an unsteady gait, 

 the hind legs do not follow exactly in line with the front ones, be- 

 come crossed, or instead of walking directly forward, the body ap- 

 pears to go sidewise. After lying down there is more or less difficulty 

 in getting up. These symptoms become progressively worse until the 

 hog simply drags the hind parts. If the paralysis develops suddenly, 

 the pig is found dragging the hind parts and unable to get up on the 

 hind legs. The appetite is usually good in the early stage, and may 

 remain so. Pressure over the affected region does not cause the 

 animal pain, but sometimes it will squeal when moved. The appetite 

 may become poor and the bowels constipated, depending upon the 

 extent of the lesions. If recovery does not take place within a few 

 days or a week, the case is not apt to terminate favorably. 



Treatment. This consists in moving the hog to a comfortable 

 pen where it can not be disturbed and feeding it mostly on sloppy 

 food. It is very necessary that no dry feed be given in order to pre- 

 vent constipation. Early in the disease a cathartic of Epsom salts 

 should be given and repeated if necessary. This may be supple- 

 mented with an enema of water and glycerine. From five to ten 

 drops of tincture of nux vomica should be given two or three times a 

 day. Counter-irritation along the back by means of blistering lini- 

 ments (oil of turpentine ten parts, croton oil one part), or the firing 

 iron can be used. Dr. Peters, of Nebraska, recommends the firing 

 iron. To fire the back of a hog, number sixteen wire can be used. 

 There should be fifteen or sixteen pieces about a foot in length 

 pointed at one end. The pointed end should be placed in a charcoal 

 or corn cob fire and heated to a white heat. When ready for use, 

 they can be held in a pair of pincers, and the skin punctured at 

 points an inch or two apart in the region of the loins. The wires 

 should be allowed to pass through the skin and into the tissue be- 

 neath, or the operation will not give satisfactory results. The hog 



