688 DISEASES OF SWINE 



When a delivery has been long drawn out and difficult, and has 

 made it necessary to give assistance, it is a wise precaution to as- 

 sume that inflammation is likely to occur, and handle the case 

 accordingly. For the purpose of preventing and checking pig-bed 

 fever, or any inflammation of the womb, there is no medicinal sub- 

 stance as effective as echinacea. In these cases do not wait for the 

 fever to start, but begin the next morning to give echinacea or 

 echafolta in teaspoonful doses. It will prevent a large number of 

 these cases and save many valuable brood sows that would other- 

 wise be lost. 



When the infection has got a good start and is making rapid 

 headway the case offers a severe problem in treatment. If the 

 germs present are of an active death-producing type the case is a 

 desperate one and the chances for saving the sow not much better 

 than even. She should be at once removed to a clean, comfortable, 

 warm box-stall where she can be kept quiet. Diet should consist 

 of milk, soft mashes, and slop. It is good practice also to give a 

 dose of calomel to clear out the bowels and keep them free from 

 poisonous materials. 



If a dead pig or a part of the after-birth remains in the womb an 

 effort should be made to remove same if possible. The cavity of 

 the womb may now be irrigated with a weak solution of some of the 

 coal-tar disinfectants, such as a 1 per cent, solution of kresol. 



As to the use of these irrigations of the uterus my opinions 

 are at variance with those of most authors. I do not favor the 

 use of injections into the womb in septic infection, but rather keep- 

 ing the animal quiet, combating the poisons in the blood, and sus- 

 taining the strength of the patient as much as possible. 



As an active agent to work against the effects of the germs and 

 their poisons I think there is nothing that can be used that is more 

 effective than echinacea. This remedy intelhgently used will save 

 many sows that would otherwise have died. It should be given, 

 however, with a free hand, using the full strength fluidextract or 

 specific medicine and giving a teaspoonful every two or three 

 hours. If the fever is high, small doses of tincture of aconite, say 

 5 drops to the dose, may be added with benefit. Bitter tonics, 

 such as nux vomica and gentian, may be also given with the food, 

 but these are better withheld until after the temperature is down 



