DEPRAVED APPETITE 549 



the more prominent symptoms being inability to swallow, re- 

 gurgitation of food and liquids through the mouth and nose, and 

 profuse flow of saliva from the mouth. 



In the case of pure-bred animals treatment of the condition 

 may be considered advisable. In such cases strychnin is the rem- 

 edy which will show the best results. It may be given hypoder- 

 mically, in dose of about ^V gr., three times a day. This is about 

 the only remedy that will show any good effects in paralysis, and 

 it often fails. In ordinary animals the proper course is to advise 

 slaughter while the animal is still in good condition. This will 

 prevent any very marked financial loss. 



NARROWING OF ESOPHAGUS (STRICTURE OF ESOPHAGUS) 



Narrowing or stricture of the esophagus may occur as a result 

 of burning of the organ by some irritating poison, or by the healing 

 of a wound inflicted by some sharp object which has been swallowed. 



The symptoms of narrowing of the esophagus are difficulty 

 in swallowing, loss of appetite, decrease in weight, and loss of 

 strength. 



Treatment of narrowing of the gullet is unsatisfactory, and 

 unless the hog be a very valuable one it is the better policy to 

 sell the animal for slaughter while still in good condition. 



DEPRAVED APPETITE 



By depraved appetite is meant a condition where the animal 

 shows a craving for substances that would not ordinarily be 

 taken as food, for instance, dirt, sand, rotten wood, and other 

 like indigestible substances. The disease is not very common or 

 important in hogs. It is sometimes seen as a symptom in other 

 diseases, such as gastritis, chronic indigestion, and even in hog- 

 cholera, especially of the chronic type. Another important cause 

 for depraved appetite is feeding of hogs with an improperly 

 balanced ration, especially one deficient in alkaline or earthy salts. 

 Lack of exercise and nervous conditions are also sometimes noted 

 as a cause of the disease. 



Sjmiptoms. — The principal symptom is the change noted in 

 appetite. Frequently all desire for the usual articles of diet is lost, 

 and the animal will leave good, wholesome food untouched in the 



