556 DISEASES OF SWINE 



chronic. There is a loss of appetite and the animal becomes un- 

 thrifty. There may be a very capricious appetite. The animal 

 may eat well to-day and refuse food entirely to-morrow. In some 

 cases there will be an appetite for one kind of food and an absolute 

 refusal of other forms of food. 



Instead of gaining in weight, as a healthy hog should, the 

 affected animal loses weight. In the case of small pigs this be- 

 comes very noticeable, and, unless the condition be early corrected, 

 the animal becomes a chronic runt and is stunted beyond hope of 

 ever becoming a valuable animal. In those cases associated with 

 chronic cholera the loss of weight is very characteristic, and a large, 

 thrifty appearing animal may become so emaciated as to resemble 

 a walking skeleton in a few weeks' time. 



The condition of the bowels in this condition is very changeable. 

 There may be a chronic constipation or the animal may have more 

 or less scouring. In many cases there are some days on which the 

 animal is constipated, and this may be followed by several days of 

 diarrhea. Attacks of cohc occur quite frequently, in which the 

 animal becomes restless and gives other evidences of abdominal 

 pain. 



Course. — The condition may persist for several weeks or even 

 months unless properly treated. The animal loses weight and 

 strength and becomes hopelessly stunted. 



Treatment. — As in the acute form of inflammation of the stom- 

 ach, there is a great amount of work that can be done to prevent 

 this disease, and it is much easier to prevent the condition than it 

 is to treat it after it has once become established. 



Properly balanced rations, given in proper amount and at regu- 

 lar intervals, will do a great deal to keep the animals free from any 

 stomach or bowel troubles. Careful watch should be kept for the 

 presence of worms, and, if they are present, proper medication 

 should be given to rid the animals of them. 



Clean, properly ventilated quarters is a big factor in preventing 

 this condition as well as many other diseases of the hog. Sleeping 

 quarters should be so arranged as to have plenty of room, and they 

 should be warm and at the same time light and properly ventilated. 

 The animal should also have sufficient feed lot space to properly 

 exercise. The hog, as well as other animals, requires a moderate 



