554 DISEASES OF SWINE 



desire for food is lost. Frequently even the drinking of water will 

 be sufficient to cause a severe attack of vomiting. In some of 

 the less severe cases the animal will show evidences of a depraved 

 appetite. He may eat one kind of food and refuse another, or may 

 refuse all ordinary food and show a desire for unusual and indiges- 

 tible substances. The use of the thermometer usually shows the 

 presence of one or two degrees of fever, and examination of the 

 surface of the body with the hand will determine that the tips of 

 the ears and extremities of the limbs are cold, while the balance of 

 the body appears to be hot. 



The bowels are usually constipated at first. Later they begin 

 to show a diarrhea, and the discharges may finally become quite 

 watery and disagreeable in nature. 



The urine is decreased in amount and very often is decidedly 

 dark in color. 



Diagnosis is made by the history of improper feeding, and the 

 symptoms of loss of appetite, vomiting, pain, fever, thirst, and 

 diarrhea. The principal disease to be considered as a possibility 

 is hog-cholera. This is always to be thought of, and, in cases 

 where cholera is in the neighborhood, it is the part of wisdom to 

 kill one of the sickest animals and open up the body for the purpose 

 of making certain whether cholera really is starting in the herd or 

 not. The fever is usually much higher in a case of cholera than 

 in simple gastritis. 



Treatment. — Preventive treatment, of course, consists in proper 

 care as regards diet. Wholesome food in proper amount at regular 

 intervals will make this disease an unknown one in the herd. 

 Where an attack occurs, the first thing to do is to get the irritating 

 substances out of the stomach. This is best done by the use of 

 15 to 20 gr. of ipecac in warm water, or by the injection under 

 the skin of | to J gr. of apomorphin. This should be followed 

 by the giving of calomel and castor oil, using about 3 to 5 gr. of 

 calomel and from 1 to 4 ounces of oil. This will thoroughly clear 

 out the stomach and bowels, reheve vomiting, and is frequently all 

 the medication that is needed. 



The animal should be given no food whatever for the first 

 twenty-four hours after treatment is started, and should then be 

 gradually placed on soft mashed food for a few days. To aid com- 



