130 THE HOG. 



charge of the fsecal matter in a thin or slimy state, but not actualiy 

 altered, and arises from inflammation or congestion of the mucous 

 lining of the intestines. What we conceive to be an attack of diar- 

 rhoea, is often only an effort of nature to throw off some offensive 

 matters, and will cease of itself in the course of twenty-four It urs; 

 but where it goes on for any length of time, it must be taken seri- 

 ously in hand, as it will otherwise weaken the animal and impair its 

 value. The best remedy for it is the compound commonly called 

 calves' cordial, viz : Prepared chalk, one ounce, powdered catechu, 

 half an ounce, powdered ginger, two drachms, powdered opium, half 

 a drachm, mixed and dissolved in half a pint of peppermint water. 

 From half an ounce to an ounce of this mixture, according to the 

 size of the animal, should be given twice in the day ; and strict 

 attention paid to the diet, which should consist as much as pos- 

 sible of dry, farinaceous food. 



GARGET OF THE MAW^ 



This is a disorder arising from repletion, and is found alike in 

 older animals and in sucking pigs. Its symptoms strongly resemble 

 those of colic. The remedies, too, are purgatives. Epsom salts is 

 here, perhaps, as good a thing as can be given, in doses of from a 

 quarter of an ounce to an ounce. It might as well be termed in- 

 digestion, for such it actually is, the stomach being overloaded with 

 food. In sucking pigs it usually arises from the coagulation of milk 

 in the: stomach. 



THE LIVER. 



This organ in swine does not appear to be so subject to disease as 

 it is in most of our other domesticated animals ; we have only, 

 therefore, to glance at its use and anatomy as we pass. It is smaller 

 in swine than in sheep, and larger than we find it in the dog, in ac- 

 cordance with that anatomical law, which seems to be in force in all 

 animals ; namely, that the size of the liver shall be in inverse pro- 

 portion to that of the lungs. It is situated in the anterior part of 

 the abdomen, and its upper surface rests against the concavity of 

 the diaphragm. Its office is to receive the blood that is returned 

 from the intestines, separate from it and secrete the fluid termed 

 bile, and then forward the residue of the blood onwards to the 

 lungs, where it undergoes the usual aerating process, and becomes 

 transmuted into arterial blood. 



The fluid or bile thus secreted, when in a healthy state, and not in 

 undue proportion, stimulates the mucous membrane, and increases 

 the peristaltic motion of the intestines, excites the secretion of that 

 mucus requisite to preserve these parts in a healthy state, hastens 



