680 DISEASES OF SWINE 



sow does not, it is only reasonable to suppose that this failure is 

 due to some abnormal condition on her part. 



Treatment. — Prevention is of great importance in the handling 

 of sterility. Care should be exercised in handling boars to see 

 that they are not quickly worn out by allowing them to serve too 

 large a number of sows. In like manner, the breeding seasons 

 should be so arranged that the boar does not need to remain in- 

 active for a long period of time. 



Next in importance is, unquestionably, the matter of proper feed- 

 ing. Care must be taken to see that the breeding animals, both 

 male and female, do not become overfat and lazy. Heavy, fat 

 sows or boars do not make good breeding animals, and, to a certain 

 extent, the same may be said of age. Old sows that have been 

 through three or more breeding seasons had better be replaced by 

 younger stock in the majority of cases. In selecting a ration for 

 breeding animals care should be taken to see that it does not con- 

 tain too large an amount of fat-producing foods. Exercise is also 

 an important factor, and without proper amount of exercise suc- 

 cessful breeding is likely to be impossible. Proper food and plenty 

 of range for exercise will do a great amount toward keeping the 

 percentage of sterile animals at the lowest possible point. 



In those cases that are due to a closure of the opening into the 

 womb, much can be accompHshed by dilatation of the neck of the 

 womb with suitable instruments. 



Where the sterihty is due to disease of the womb or of the 

 genital passages in the female, much can be accomphshed by proper 

 treatment, irrigating the passages with weak solution of some of the 

 disinfectant preparations. Administration of certain remedies per 

 mouth is also of benefit in these cases. One of the most successful 

 remedies in these cases is macrotys, which may well be combined 

 with mitchella, a vegetable plant commonly known as squaw vine. 



The best obtainable preparations of these drugs are the specific 

 medicines made especially for the eclectic school of medicine. Two 

 ounces of specific medicine macrotys and 2 ounces of specific medi- 

 cine mitchella should be combined to make a 4-ounce mixture. 

 Of this J teaspoonful may be given with the slop three times a 

 day. These drugs are especially active in overcoming abnormal 

 conditions affecting the womb and genital passages. 



