694 DISEASES OF SWINE 



Constitutional symptoms are also quite pronounced in severe 

 cases. The temperature is elevated, appetite is lost, and consti- 

 pation usually is noted. The animal shows a considerable amount 

 of dulness, and prefers to lie quiet rather than move about to any 

 extent. When he attempts to walk the gait is stiff and strad- 

 dling, and every step causes considerable pain. 



In some cases the inflammation becomes a chronic one, and the 

 testicles remain swollen, hard, and knotty to the feel, although the 

 heat and tenderness may entirely disappear. Following a severe 

 orchitis, if both testicles were involved, the animal is usually worth- 

 less for breeding purposes. The changes produced by the inflam- 

 mation cause closing up of the small canals which carry the semen 

 of the animal, and, as a result, he is unable to properly manufacture 

 this necessary fluid and is of no service. 



If the case be a very severe one the inflammation may go on to 

 the development of an abscess, which will entirely destroy the 

 testicle of the affected side in many cases. 



Treatment. — Preventive treatment consists in careful handling 

 of boars and restraining any inclination to get rough with them 

 when driving, ringing, or otherwise handhng them. In the in- 

 jection of hog-cholera serum in boars it is a wise plan to make the 

 injection in the loose tissues back of the ear or foreleg rather than 

 in the muscles of the thigh. In this way the danger of spreading 

 inflammation to the scrotum is avoided. 



If an orchitis is seen early in its course, the best procedure is to 

 give the animal a large dose of Epsom salt, and follow this with the 

 aconite and Phytolacca mixture mentioned in the treatment of 

 inflammation of the udder. Full strength Phytolacca may also be 

 applied locally over the inflamed organ. In many cases this 

 method of treatment will abort the condition. It is also wise in 

 these early cases to apply wet cloths wrung out of ice-cold water. 



In the more severe cases that are not seen until later in theii 

 course the aconite and Phytolacca are again useful, but the local 

 apphcation of cloths wrung out of hot water is now more effective 

 than those wrung from cold water. Local apphcation of a bella- 

 donna ointment or painting the scrotum with a solution of guaiacol 

 is also very effective in relieving pain and inflammation in these 

 severe cases. 



