562 DISEASES OF SWINE 



In those cases where the diarrhea proves persistent and weak- 

 ening the use of an intestinal antiseptic is indicated. The best of 

 these is the sulphocarbolates, using the sodium, calcium, or zinc 

 salt, or a combination of the three. These sulphocarbolates liber- 

 ate carbolic acid in the stomach and bowels and destroy the germs 

 which are proving the cause of the inflammation. 



In cases that show a tendency to develop into a chronic indi- 

 gestion the use of the bitter tonic condition powder already men- 

 tioned is indicated. 



DIARRHEA IN YOUNG PIGS (SCOURS) 



Scours is a very common disease in young pigs, and carries 

 off a large number of the little fellows in the hog-producing belt 

 every spring. There is no single disease, with the exception of 

 cholera, that causes such severe losses to the swine-producing in- 

 dustry as does scours. 



Causes. — The disease is practically always due to faulty food. 

 If the mother be in a feverish or unhealthy condition in the first 

 few days after birth her milk becomes unsuitable for food for the 

 pigs, and they develop a severe diarrhea as a result. Improper 

 feeding of the mother is also a common cause for scouring among 

 the pigs. Feeding of decomposing, rotten, or frozen food to the 

 mother will result in poisonous materials being carried through the 

 milk of the mother to the stomach of the sucking pig, with dis- 

 astrous outcome. 



Where the pigs are kept in close, damp quarters, scours is 

 especially liable to develop. The little pig needs Ught, airy quar- 

 ters, with plenty of sunshine and room for exercise. On many 

 farms the farrowing sow is placed in an overheated, damp, dark 

 shed, and it is no wonder the pigs in such litters begin to die when 

 a few days old. 



Scours are especially liable to develop if the weather be damp 

 and chilly. Cold, rainy spring weather is especially favorable 

 to the development of this disease in a Utter of new-born pigs. 

 The little fellows get out in the damp grass and get chilled through, 

 with the result that their strength is very much lowered, and they 

 easily fall victims to any poisonous substances that may be taken 

 in with the milk. 



