602 DISEASES OF SWINE 



hog-cholera. The kidney is softer than normal and engorged with 

 blood. When cut into, the organ drips blood, and many small red 

 points can be seen on the surface. When cut into, the pelvis of the 

 kidney is frequently found to be filled with a thick, highly colored 

 urine, and there may be considerable fluid under the capsule. 



Treatment. — The prevention of this disease consists principally 

 in care to avoid overcrowding and exposure to cold air and drafts. 

 Every possible care should be used to limit the danger of injury in 

 the feed lots. Running of animals by boys or dogs should also be 

 stopped. 



In the active medicinal treatment of this disease a warm, 

 comfortable stall should be provided for the sick animal and every 

 effort made to keep it warm and comfortable. Hot poultices 

 of flaxseed or other suitable agents can be appHed over the region 

 of the loins with benefit. The diet is the next most important 

 point in the treatment of the disease. The best plan is to shut off all 

 forms of sohd food and place the animal on milk alone, or milk with 

 the addition of a small amount of some soft, warm, sloppy food. 

 Plenty of water should also be suppUed the sick animal, and to this 

 small amounts of potassium acetate or potassium nitrate should be 

 added for their mild stimulating action upon the kidney. Lin- 

 seed tea is also a soothing and stimulating agent for this purpose. 



To aid elimination of poisonous substances as much as possible 

 through other parts of the body, and thus reUeve the kidney of a 

 large amount of work, cathartics should be given, the best agents 

 for this purpose being calomel, castor oil, and Epsom salt. Unfor- 

 tunately in the hog we are unable to accomplish anything in the 

 way of promoting elimination through the skin, as the hog is a very 

 difficult animal to sweat. 



In some cases the heart, will be found to be very weak, and in 

 these cases whisky, digitalis, and strychnin should be given as 

 recommended in the treatment of pneumonia. During convales- 

 cence from the disease it is well to keep the animals on sloppy food, 

 keep them in warm, comfortable quarters, and administer some of 

 the hog-cholera tonic mixture or similar tonic condition powder 

 until they have fully regained strength. 



Acute nephritis, occurring as a result of injury to the back, need 

 not necessarily be fatal, and should respond to treatment ; however, 



