700 DISEASES OF SWINE 



eration may cause rupture to make its appearance soon after the 

 pig has been cut. 



Other causes for rupture are overcrowding of pigs, causing them 

 to pile up on each other and strain themselves. Continued consti- 

 pation and chronic bronchitis are also causes for rupture, in that 

 they result in continuous straining. Injuries received in crowding 

 through a doorway, partly opened gate, or a hole in a fence 

 may also result in such injury as to cause development of a 

 rupture. 



Sjnmptoms. — The principal symptom is the development of a 

 tumor-like swelling in the region of the scrotum. This at first may 

 be small, but continues to increase in size until it may become so 

 large that it drags upon the ground. The swelling is painless, and 

 remains so until it begins to drag upon the ground, when it may 

 become inflamed, ulcerated, and painful. The pig at first shows no 

 bad effects from the presence of the rupture, but, as it becomes 

 larger, the drain upon his vitality makes itself apparent. Digest- 

 ive disturbances develop, the animal stops gaining in weight, and 

 in the course of a few months becomes a chronic runt. 



If the pig be caught and held up by the hind legs the contents 

 of the tumor sac disappear, passing back through the enlarged 

 inguinal canal into the belly where they belong. When the pig is 

 placed upon his feet again and allowed to run around the rupture 

 comes down again just as large as ever. If the rupture is carefully 

 palpated between the fingers the loops of intestine can usually be 

 plainly felt, and the testicle is to be found in most cases at the bot- 

 tom of the scrotum under the mass of intestines. The rupture is 

 painless, and the animal does not give any evidence of pain when it 

 is being examined. 



Treatment. — There are two principal methods of handling these 

 rupture cases : one is by the so-called closed or covered operation, 

 the other by the open operation. Of these two procedures, the 

 covered operation is the more simple and the most effective. In 

 either case, it is necessary that the animal be castrated. 



The Covered Operation. — In performing this operation it is 

 necessary to have a needle, a ligature, an operating knife, and a pair 

 of scissors. All of these utensils should be made perfectly free 

 from germs by boihng in water. These instruments should be 



