DISEASES OF SWINE 445 



if it be given, there should be oil meal added to balance the ration. 

 If pasture can not be secured, provide a dry, warm pen. Keep the 

 bowels open as the symptoms may indicate. Fumigate with burn- 

 ing tar and apply tar about the feed troughs. An ointment com- 

 posed of equal parts turpentine, kerosene and ammonia in sufficient 

 lard to make it stiff has been recommended as an application to the 

 face. This is repeated twice a week for a month. (Ind. B. 100.) 



The name bullnose is applied to a disease of suckling or wean- 

 ling pigs, characterized by sores in the mouth or upon the lips, 

 caused by a germ bacillus necrophorus. This disease is technically 

 called necrotic stomatitis. 



The first symptom usually observed is a swelling about the 

 nose. Sometimes the swelling is greater on one side tnan on the 

 other and gives the nose a slightly wry appearance. Generally, 

 however, the swelling is diffused and sometimes interferes with the 

 breathing, producing a wheezing sound. The swelling of the nose 

 gives rise to the common name of this disease, "bullnose." 



If the mouth is examined, one or more sores will be found, 

 generally occupying the inside of the lips or gums, often extending 

 to the edges of the lips. In other cases the tongue is diseased. The 

 sore area presents a dark-colored surface, and, if between the lips 

 and gums, often contains considerable food material that emits a 

 very offensive odor. The edges of the wound are swollen and of a 

 purplish color. The sore is very sensitive and usually bleeds pro- 

 fusely when injured slightly. As the disease progresses, the sore not 

 only extends its area but also becomes deeper. The lips become 

 thick from congestion and the roots of the teeth are often exposed 

 as a result of the ulceration. The pig is unable to eat properly, falls 

 away in flesh, and, in severe cases, often dies. 



As soon as a case of sore mouth, or "bull nose," is observed, the 

 litter or bunch of young pigs that are running together should be 

 caught and each individual examined for sore mouth. All having 

 the disease should be removed and placed in a pen by themselves. 

 While the disease is not highly contagious, it is transmissible, and 

 particularly among suckling pigs, apparently by a healthy pig suck- 

 ling a teat following a pig with sore mouth. The pigs should be 

 well fed. They should be treated daily by cleaning out the sore, re- 

 moving all food and dirt, and applying, with a swab, a five per cent 

 solution of carbolic acid or creoline in water (using one part of medi- 

 cine to twenty parts of water) . Another excellent remedy is to clean 

 and dry the sore and apply pure tincture of iodine with a small swab. 

 In severe cases it may be necessary to cauterize the sore once with a 

 piece of "lunar caustic" and then use the carbolic acid solution. This 

 should be done thoroughly. Care must be exercised in treating pigs 

 that they do not bite the operator. Their teeth are sharp and a bite 

 is liable to transmit some infection. It is a good plan to place a 

 clean stick or corncob in the pig's mouth while treating it, to avoid 

 injury to the operator. Pigs that are kept in damp, muddy quarters 

 are more liable to suffer from sore mouth, or bull nose. (Va. 

 B. 189.) 



