612 DISEASES OF SWINE 



the hogs are carefully handled at shipping time. In sows or boars 

 that are intended for breeding purposes fatty degeneration is most 

 undesirable and should be guarded against. In animals that are 

 overfat cut down the diet and place them on a large range, where 

 they will have to forage for their food. In this way the overfat 

 condition can be reduced and the general health of the animal 

 improved. 



In an acute attack of heart failure, due to fatty degeneration, 

 death often occurs before there is time to do anything to relieve the 

 condition. Where time affords opportunity an injection may be 

 made beneath the skin of aromatic spirits of ammonia, camphor, or 

 simply of whisky, if nothing better be at hand. Strychnin and 

 digitalis may be given after the acute attack is over to sustain the 

 heart. Keep the animal quiet and do not attempt to move him for 

 several hours, especially in the heat of the day. 



Care should be exercised in handling fat animals not to over- 

 exert them. The practice of driving hogs to the shipping station is 

 a poor practice from many view-points and often results in severe 

 loss. If any cholera be present in the herd it is also scattered along 

 the roadway. 



PALPITATION OF THE HEART 



This is a condition which is frequently seen in hogs, and which 

 is often mistaken for thumps or spasm of the diaphragm. In 

 both conditions there is often a spasmodic jerking of the body, but 

 the two diseases are entirely independent in nature. 



Causes. — Palpitation of the heart may occur as the result of 

 some form of acute disease of the heart. More commonly it is a 

 reflex disturbance, in which there is really no disease of the heart 

 at all. One of the most common causes for palpitation of the heart 

 is disease of the digestive organs. Acute indigestion, especially if 

 accompanied by the formation of gas in the stomach or bowels, may 

 be accompanied by a violent beating of the heart. Palpitation 

 of the heart may also occur as a result of exposure to cold and 

 wet, especially in young pigs. Another cause for palpitation is 

 nervous excitement, such as might be caused as a result of pigs 

 being chased by dogs or children. Overexercise, especially in fat 

 animals, may cause a temporary palpitation of the heart. Excess- 

 ive heart action may be seen for several days in hogs after transpor- 



