498 HORSE, SWINE AND POULTRY DISEASES 



of the third eyelid is characteristic of this disease. It is very fatal 

 in pigs. 



Treatment. This is limited to preventive treatment, and con- 

 sists in taking all the necessary precautions against infection at the 

 time of castration and spaying. Medicinal treatment is of little use. 

 The hog should be placed in a pen by itself and kept as quiet as 

 possible. If it will eat, a sloppy diet should be offered. The bowels 

 must be kept open by injections and cathartics. (Ind. B. 100.) 



BLOOD POISONING. 



There are two forms of blood poisoning. In the first the germs 

 are picked up by the blood stream while passing a wound and dis- 

 tributed through the body. The result is to cause abscesses or boils 

 in various places, on the surface, and in the organs, as the lungs, 

 liver, kidneys, etc. The distribution may be local instead of general 

 and we have the infection following up a leg or spread out in the 

 body. Its characteristic is the extension of pus. This is known as 

 pyaemia. In the second form there are pus germs present at the 

 wound or point of infection but instead of these being carried away 

 by the blood they remain, and as they grow, produce a poison and 

 this is absorbed and carried about. This may produce profound 

 general shock to the system or inflammation of certain organs. 

 Both conditions may be present at the same time. 



Causes. These are the pus producing microbes, especially sta- 

 phylococcus pyogenes aureus or albus and streptococcus pyogenes, 

 that enter the tissues through bruises or abrasions permitting the 

 germs to become lodged beneath the skin, or through extensive 

 wounds. Sometimes they remain at the point of infection, but may be 

 transferred from here by the blood stream to distant points, forming 

 suppurating centers, or infect the tissues generally and become 

 widely distributed. This condition is not rare as a result of putre- 

 factive changes in the uterus following an inflammation of the or- 

 gan, or as a result of retention of the foetus. 



Symptoms. Unless the symptoms follow an extensive infec- 

 tion resulting from a difficult birth, an operation or a large wound, 

 the owner does not connect them with a disease of this nature. At 

 the point of infection, an 'abscess may form or the part become 

 greatly swollen and oedematous. The body temperature is elevated 

 and in serious cases the appetite becomes impaired. Muscular trem- 

 ors may be noticed, and the hog becomes dull and stupid. It is 

 generally seen hiding in the weeds or litter or in some cool, quiet 

 place. Sometimes the animal has a diarrhoea. In serious cases, it 

 becomes greatly emaciated and death takes place in a few days. 

 Recovery frequently occurs, and in time the hog begins to thrive. 



Treatment. The treatment is mostly preventive, and consists 

 in proper care being given most wounds, especially if extensive, and 

 in using antiseptic precautions in all operations on the pig. Ab- 

 scesses should be opened promptly and at the lowest point, so that 

 all the pus can drain out. The after treatment consists in washing 

 the cavity with an antiseptic wash for a few days, and the opening 

 should not be permitted to close until the cavity has entirely filled 



