112 



half grain to three grains ; and tartar emetic, half grain to three grains, 

 made into a ball with fluid extract of male shield fern, to be given 

 after fasting, followed up with a dose of castor oil. 



279. Liver Disorders. — [See Lectnye V I. , Digestive Organs, Part II.) 



THE PIG. 



280. Considering the scav'enging habits and the filthy conditions 

 under which pigs are generally brought up, it is a great wonder they 

 do not suffer more from affections of the digestive organs. The 

 ailments most commonly met with are Gastritis, or inflammation of 

 the stomach, Constipation, Diarrhcsa, Worms, and Protrusion of the Rectum. 



281. Gastritis. — Inflammation of the stomach is generally caused 

 by consuming irritating indigestible substances, drinking salt brine, 

 the presence of worms, &c. When attacked, the animal is very restless, 

 refusing all foods, vomiting, and has a great thirst, while sometimes 

 the attack is accompanied bydiarrhcea or constipation. Treatment: 

 When constipation is present, small doses of castor oil in milk can be 

 given every six or eight hours ; if the pain be severe, a tea-spoonful of 

 chlorodyne and 5 to 10 drops of. pure carbolic acid may be added; 

 warm water and glycerine enemas should be given every six or eight 

 hours, and flannels wrung out of hot water ought to be rolled round 

 the body, with a waterproof covering above. When diarrhoea is present 

 small doses of castor oil, containing from 20 to 30 drops of laudanum, 

 should be given at the onset, followed up with 20 grains each of 

 bismuth, bicarbonate of soda, magnesia, and cassia, given in a little 

 warm milk, every six or eight hours, if required. Young pigs often 

 suff'er from gastritis when fed on unboiled or unscalded Indian meal ; 

 when thus fed they are also liable to take fits; Indian corn meal or 

 maize meal should not, therefore, be given to very young pigs. Sharps 

 or parings, with bran, well scalded or boiled, answer better. 



282. Constipation in pigs is generally caused by injudicious 

 feeding, or through overfeeding on too much dry food. Sows that 

 are close on pigging also often suffer both before and after parturition 



