INFECTIOUS SORE MOUTH 515 



should all manure be kept cleaned out of them at frequent inter- 

 vals. Once or twice a month they should be sprinkled with some 

 disinfectant solution. 



Isolation. — Immediately that the disease is seen in the pens the 

 affected pigs should be removed from the balance of the litter, as 

 it is only by prompt carrying out of this precaution that the 

 rapid spread of the disease can be prevented. It is also wise to 

 separate the mother from the rest of the herd, as pigs from other 

 litters may suckle the infected teats and develop the disease. 



Medicinal Treatment. — Active medicinal treatment of this form 

 of sore mouth must be very vigorous if good results are to be ob- 

 tained. The mouth should be irrigated with some strong dis- 

 infectant solution. For this purpose, perhaps, permanganate of 

 potash is as effective as any other remedy. In making the solu- 

 tion, about 1 ounce of potassium permanganate should be used to 

 the gallon of water. Following the irrigation of the mouth, the 

 ulcers themselves should be touched up with a strong caustic 

 preparation. For this purpose silver nitrate is the most effective 

 agent obtainable. This drug can be obtained in small sticks, 

 known as lunar caustic. Dip the end of one of these sticks in a 

 little water and then thoroughly rub over the surface of the ulcer. 

 This treatment should be repeated once or twice a day for several 

 days. 



Where large numbers of the animals are affected, and where 

 it is inconvenient to take the time necessary to apply this thorough 

 treatment, a simpler method consists in making up a bucket of the 

 permanganate solution or a 4 per cent, solution of one of the 

 coal-tar disinfectants, and, taking the affected pig by the hind 

 legs, dip him head foremost into the solution. In this manner the 

 ulcerated surfaces are brought in contact with the disinfectant. 

 Another recommended treatment is to place in the mouth of each 

 affected pig a small teaspoonful of flowers of sulphur. 



On account of the severe nature of the disease, and the fact 

 that most of the pigs that recover are left as stunted runts, it is 

 really more economic to knock the badly affected cases in the 

 head rather than to bother with treating them. In cases that 

 recover it is advisable to administer a tonic treatment for a few 

 weeks in order to restore strength, appetite, and vitality. 



