DISEASES OF SWINE 529 



Pin worms cause but little if any digestive disturbance. Irrita- 

 tion to the walls of the caecum or colon does not interfere as much 

 with digestion, as would an irritation to the stomach or small in- 

 testines. They are seldom present in large enough numbers in the 

 intestine to cause any noticeable irritation, but no doubt in con- 

 junction with other parasites, they help to aggravate the symptoms 

 of parasitism. The pig becomes infested through the food supply. 

 -(Ind. B. 100.) 



WHIP WORM. 



Description. The whip worm is commonly found in the large 

 intestines, generally the caecum. It is about one and a half inches 

 in length. The anterior two-thirds of the body is capillary and very 

 thin, the posterior one-third suddenly expanded, tnick and cylin- 

 drical in shape. The caudal extremity of the male is coiled, and a 

 number of short spines are seen behind and around the sheath of 

 the spicule, the point of which is rounded. 



Method of Infection. Pig becomes infected by taking the eggs 

 into the digestive tract along with the food. The eggs usually contain 

 well formed embryos which are said to develop into the adult form 

 in about four weeks. 



Symptoms. No serious trouble is attributed to either whip or 

 pin worms. When present in large numbers, they no doubt cause 

 considerable irritation and may aggravate the symptoms in other 

 parasitic affections. 



Treatment. The same treatment as recommended for other 

 forms is indicated here. In addition rectal injections of soapy water 

 can be administered. 



KIDNEY WORM. 



When a hog is paralyzed in its hind quarters swine breeders 

 usually call the disease "kidney worm." This statement may also be 

 used when the pig is not doing as well as it should. A few years ago 

 the kidney worm was claimed by some to cause hog cholera and 

 swine plague. The origin of these statements is not reliable, and the 

 presence of the worm under such conditions is only a coincidence. 

 The kidney worm occurs in the fat around the kidney, in the kidneys 

 and sometimes in the liver. It is usually found in cysts or canals 

 and several may be seen in one cyst. They more often occur in 

 pairs. As a result of the irritation, there is more connective tissue in 

 the region of the cysts than in the rest of the fat, and it may contain 

 pus. It is not uncommon to find kidney worms in the pelvis of the 

 kidney, and frequently its walls and the ureter are inflamed and 

 thickened. Sometimes the kidneys are inflamed and contain 

 abscesses. This latter condition in the absence of the kidney worm 

 is not uncommon. The kidney worm is mottled but when seen 

 against the fat appears dark colored. The body is cylindrical, plump, 

 and slightly tapering at both ends. The male is from an inch to an 

 inch and a half in length and about one twenty-fourth of an inch 

 thick. 



The female is some larger than the male and will average 

 about an inch and a half in length and one-twelfth of an inch thick. 



