DISEASES OF SWINE 511 



breathing, spasmodic in character and usually called thumps, loss 

 of sight, restlessness, walking in a circle and running into obstruc- 

 tions, lying down flat on the belly, and finally sudden exhaustion 

 and death. In the majority of cases, the animals are found dead 

 in their beds or pens ten or twelve hours after they had apparently 

 been in the best of health. 



Lesions. -A post mortem examination gives no definite lesions 

 and fails to show any effect that might be attributed to the hulls. 



Treatment. The only treatment that can be recommended is 

 preventive, avoid using cotton seed in any form as food for hogs 

 for more than two weeks at a time. (Ind. B. 100.) 



ERGOT POISONING. 



Causes. Hogs may be poisoned by eating the screenings from 

 the thresher or elevator that contain considerable quantities of this 

 fungus. It may possibly be produced on pasture, particularly rye 

 pasture. This fungus occurs principally on the heads of rye. The 

 disease is not common and when reported in this State, it has almost 

 always been associated with the feeding of screenings and boughten 

 mill feed containing large amounts of the screenings. 



Symptoms. These are lameness like rheumatism, local swell- 

 ing and tenderness, especially about the joints of the feet although 

 not confined to that region. Gangrenous spots occur upon various 

 parts of the body. The extremities, especially the ears and tail, 

 lose their natural warmth and vitality. Deep red spots that become 

 black and gangrenous appear on the skin. The mouth may be- 

 f come sore. Parts of the ears and tail will crack and drop off and 

 pieces may come out where gangrene occurs on other parts of the 

 body. There is swelling of the eyes, loss of appetite and unsteadi- 

 ness in standing or walking. In extreme cases the hog may lose 

 one or more feet before dying. The disease may be confused with 

 blood poisoning. The occurrence in several individuals at the same 

 time will aid in making an early diagnosis. 



Treatment. Cut off the poisonous feed. Supply a soft, easily 

 digestible diet. Give iodide of potash in ten to fifteen grain doses 

 twice daily in slop. (Ind. B. 100.) 



A FUNGOUS DISEASE IN CORN. 



In 1899 a letter was received at the Nebraska Station describ- 

 ing a very peculiar disease among the domestic animals of Boyd 

 County. From the description given in the letter it was first 

 thought that the disease was due to ergotized grain, but upon inves- 

 tigation no ergot could be found. The general belief of the resi- 

 dents of the infected district was that it was due to an alkali in the 

 water or soil. They gave this affection the name of alkali disease 

 and when an animal became affected it was said that it was "al- 

 kalied." This correspondence led to an investigation in July of 

 1900. The Botanical Department sent a representative, who visited 

 a number of farms that had sustained losses from this peculiar 

 disease. He made a thorough investigation of the fields in which 

 these animals were pastured and also of the food that was fed, and 

 found that wherever this disease existed there was a dry rot on the 



