442 HORSE, SWINE AND POULTRY DISEASES 



hogs live under favorable conditions for the development of rheu- 

 matism, they do not often develop the disease. This is probably 

 due to the protection afforded by the subcutaneous fat. 



Causes. This disease is attributed to cold, damp pens and 

 exposure, but it may occur in hogs when well managed. Over- 

 feeding is also said to cause it. Rheumatic symptoms are frequently 

 noticed at the beginning of an outbreak of hog cholera. 



Symptoms. The muscles and joints may both be involved 

 and the symptoms quite marked. There may be a fever, loss of 

 appetite and a general lack of condition. The lameness will move 

 about and may involve one or more of the legs. Sometimes there 

 is considerable swelling of the hock, the knee or the joints of the 

 foot. If the muscles of the back are involved, it is arched and very 

 tender on manipulation. Stiffness in the gait is present, especially 

 if the quarters are involved. The pain in the muscles and swollen, 

 inflamed joints is intense, and the hog will sometimes squeal when 

 the parts are handled or the joints flexed. While the hog is asleep 

 there may be sudden contractions, indicating pain due to relaxa- 

 tion of muscles. On account of the pain and difficulty in walking, 

 the hog will lie around the pen most of the time and refuse to go 

 far for his food. 



Treatment. Preventive treatment is very important. It 

 means the providing of dry, comfortable quarters and the avoidance 

 of exposure. The straw stack should be avoided as a shelter for 

 hogs. Sick hogs should be given sloppy feed. Salicylate of soda 

 can be given in twenty or forty grain doses three times daily. Re- 

 covery occurs in from two to three weeks. The disease may become 

 chronic.- (Ind. B. 100.) 



RICKETS. 



In this common disease of young pigs there is enlargement, 

 bending and distortion of the bones of the joints and limbs, and 

 fractures of leg bones often occur. The bones of the body in af- 

 fected pigs lack their normal proportion of mineral material and 

 have an excess of vegetable matter. The tendency to disease is 

 hereditary and most likely to be seen in closely inbred hogs or 

 those of herds kept under unsanitary conditions and long imper- 

 fectly nourished upon unbalanced rations, and allowed too little 

 exercise upon grass. 



The excessive feeding of corn to generation after generation 

 of pampered hogs, doubtless induces a weakness of constitution con- 

 ducive to rickets and the disease may appear as a result of any 

 aggravating circumstance productive of malnutrition. Worms, in- 

 digestion, diarrhoea, constipation, prolonged use of acid food, lack 

 of exercise, exposure, dark, dirty, damp quarters and any other 

 influence detrimental to health may give rise to the ailment. Fat- 

 tening hogs may suddenly go down paralyzed in their hind parts, 

 or the thigh bones or shoulder blade may break, and the animal 

 be unable to walk. Fat, heavy, nervous sows, after nursing pigs 

 for some time, may become weak, stagger, and finally go down 

 paralyzed. Distortion of the snout ("bullnose") and difficulty of 



