594 DISEASES OF SWINE 



any case, where there is reasonable possibihty of hog-cholera, inject 

 the serum in the entire herd. 



Treatment. — Prevention of pneumonia consists in avoiding 

 those things which have been given as causes for the disease. 

 Again we have the importance of avoiding drafty, unhygienic quar- 

 ters. Especially must care be exercised in the case of new animals 

 brought upon the place during the fall and winter months. These 

 are the animals that are particularly liable to contract pneumonia 

 unless they be placed in comfortable quarters. As has already been 

 frequently mentioned, swine must not be allowed to burrow under 

 manure piles and straw-stacks during the winter months and be 

 expected to keep well. 



In the handling of a case of pneumonia proper care of the 

 animal is of even more importance than medicine. The sick hog 

 should be removed to a clean, warm box-stall, if available, and given 

 plenty of bedding in which to make himself comfortable. In 

 order to further ensure warmth and comfort a blanket may be put 

 over the sick animal. Plenty of fresh air and sunlight should be 

 admitted to the stall, as air and sunshine are very important aids in 

 the treatment. 



The food should be of the soft, sloppy variety. Bran mashes 

 and other soft, easily digested foods should be offered and should 

 be warm when given. No dry food should be given for at least two 

 weeks after complete recovery. To clean out the bowels and restore 

 normal digestion a dose of calomel and oil should be given, and the 

 oil should be repeated every other day for three or four doses. 

 Plenty of water from which the chill has been removed should be 

 given. Potassium nitrate may be added with advantage, as it will 

 stimulate the kidneys, increase the flow of urine, and reduce the 

 fever. 



In pneumonia the most frequent cause of death is heart failure, 

 and this is the compUcation that must be most guarded against in 

 the treatment. For this purpose digitalis should be administered 

 in doses of about 15 drops of the tincture every three hours. Strych- 

 nin and whisky also serve a good purpose in supporting the heart. 

 Strychnin may be given in large hogs in doses of | to ^ gr. in a table- 

 spoonful of whisky every three or four hours. 



