INFLAMMATION OF TESTICLES 693 



DEFICIENT MILK SUPPLY 



It is uncommon in the sow to find one that does not have enough 

 milk for her litter if the feeding ration is properly balanced. 

 Deficiency of milk is almost always traceable to too much dry feed 

 and not enough of the soft foods, slops, and green feed. Nursing 

 sows have a heavy drain upon the system, and should be well fed 

 with a proper ration during the entire period up to weaning. In 

 this manner the sows at weaning time are in fairly good condition, 

 and it does not require much additional crowding to get them ready 

 for the market. 



Another danger of improper feeding during the period of lac- 

 tation consists in lowering the resistance of the animals to infec- 

 tious diseases, and in this way opening the door for hog-cholera 

 germs to enter. 



INFLAMMATION OF TESTICXES (ORCHITIS) 



This disease of the boar is not of very common occurrence. It 

 is somewhat more frequent in the past few years on account of 

 the occasional spread of an inflammation following the injection 

 of hog-cholera serum. 



Causes. — Inflammation of the testicles is practically always 

 the result of an injury, such as a blow from a club, in attempting to 

 drive the animal, or a kick. Other sources of injury are bites 

 received during breeding or in fighting with other hogs. Inflam- 

 mation of any of the surrounding parts may spread to the scrotum 

 and involve the testicles. As has just been mentioned, this may 

 in some cases follow the injection of hog-cholera serum into the 

 muscles of the hind leg. 



Inflammation of the testicles may occur as a complication of 

 some of the infectious diseases. For instance, it is quite common 

 in hog-cholera for boars to have an orchitis which may leave the 

 animal sterile and worthless for breeding purposes. 



Symptoms. — The prominent symptoms of an inflammation o 

 the testicles are mostly local. The testicles are swollen and the 

 scrotum may be very much enlarged, due not only to the swelling 

 of the testicles, but also to the collection of a considerable amount 

 of fluid in the sac. The inflamed organ is quite painful and very 

 tender and hot to the touch. 



