638 DISEASES OF SWINE 



In the muscular type of the disease the muscles of the back are 

 more commonly affected. This is the condition commonly known 

 in human beings as " lumbago." The muscles of the back are 

 swollen, tender, and the back is held arched and very stiff and 

 rigid. 



In the severe cases the animal suffers a great amount of pain, 

 and remains lying in the litter most of the time. If forced to move 

 about the sick hog is able to do so onl}^ in a very stiff manner and 

 every movement is painful. Severe pain is caused by any pressure 

 upon the affected muscles of the back or any effort to move the 

 affected joints. 



In the more mild attacks the only symptoms may be a stiffness 

 of the gait and a tendency for the lameness to shift from one part 

 of the body to another. 



Course. — The course of an attack of rheumatism is very 

 variable. The symptoms may pass away in a few days, or a chronic 

 lameness may develop which will last for several weeks or months. 



Complications. — Rheumatism, if it be of the severe type, is often 

 complicated by the development of an inflammation of the pleura, 

 or, even more commonly, by development of acute inflammation of 

 the heart. These complications are announced by a rise in the 

 temperature and severe prostration. 



Treatment. — Much can be accompUshed in the prevention of 

 this disease by exercising care in handling of the animals with 

 regard to proper sleeping quarters. Cold, damp, poorly venti- 

 lated sleeping sheds are very largely responsible for this condi- 

 tion in most cases. Allowing animals to sleep around old straw- 

 stacks or under manure piles is almost equally as productive of 

 attacks of rheumatism. 



In the handling of an attack the first consideration is to get 

 the animal into a warm, comfortable place where proper care can 

 be given. The sick hog must be protected from drafts and ex- 

 posure to wet and cold. This is a most essential part of the treat- 

 ment, and is more important even than the administration of 

 drugs. 



As a start of the medicinal treatment, the animal should re- 

 ceive a brisk cathartic, such as calomel or castor oil. Following 

 this salicylate of soda and bicarbonate of soda should be admin- 



