INFLAMMATION OF STOMACH AND INTESTINES 561 



tating agents which may be in the bowel and stomach and which 

 are causing the trouble. This is best done by the use of calomel, 

 given in doses of from 5 to 20 gr., depending upon the size of the 

 hog. Small pigs should receive 1 to 2 gr. This is best given in 

 the evening, and should be followed the next morning by a dose 

 of castor oil, giving from 1 to 6 ounces, depending upon the size 

 of the hog. By this means we will clear out the stomach and bowels 

 and remove the irritating and poisonous materials that are causing 

 the trouble. 



At the same time it is an excellent plan to shut off all solid 

 food for a period of forty-eight hours, giving only a small amount 

 of water to which some barley or bran might be added. By 

 making a thin gruel of this bran and water we have a substance 

 which is easily taken, readily digested, and acts as a soothing 

 remedy to the inflamed mucous membrane. Where the pain and 

 diarrhea are very severe, small doses of laudanum may be added 

 to this gruel, giving from § to 1 teaspoonful, depending upon 

 the size of the hog. In young shoats and in pigs the use of 

 subnitrate .of bismuth is better, giving ^ to 1 teaspoonful every 

 three or four hours for several doses. This forms a protective 

 coating on the lining of the stomach and bowels, relieves the 

 vomiting and diarrhea, and checks the pain. It is a most effective 

 agent, and should be remembered wherever diarrhea is a prominent 

 symptom. 



If there is intense fever and marked weakness, small doses of 

 tincture of aconite and tincture of belladonna are very effective. 

 Ipecac added to this mixture in small doses will have a most 

 beneficial effect. The dose of ipecac should be very small, only 

 a fraction of a drop being given at each administration. 



After the acute symptoms have subsided the animal must be 

 carefully fed for several days and gradually brought back to a 

 full diet. Efforts must be made to discover the cause for the at- 

 tack, and such changes made in the method of feeding as will 

 prevent a recurrence of the condition. Give the animals a better 

 range, feed rather lightly for a few days, and allow them to get 

 plenty of exercise. Avoid those foods which are decomposed, 

 rotten, or souring, and give good, clean, wholesome food in proper 

 quantity and at regular intervals. 



