410 Diseases of Swine, 



female bringing forth a numerous brood of larvae, who find 

 their way to the muscles. 



The hog does not appear to suffer from the trichina ; and 

 its 23resence in his body can therefore only be ascertained by 

 a microscopic examination of the flesh. 



No remedy has been discovered capable of destroying 

 trichinae, when once encysted in the muscles. The free 

 administration of ergot has the most to be said in its favor. 

 But as the trichinae are effectually killed by thorough cook- 

 ing, it is a prudent precaution to insist that pork, in all its 

 forms, when served for food, should be thoroughly well done, 



HYDATIDS OF THE KIDNEYS— KIDNEY WOEMS— LARD WORMS. 



The kidneys of hogs, and the fat which smTounds them, 

 are liable to become the home of various parasites. 



One of the most frequent of these is the lard-worm, 

 Stephanurus dentaius, which is an inch or an inch and a half 

 in length, and inhabits by preference the fat about the spare 

 ribs, but is found in all parts of the body of swine. It is, 

 however, more a curiosity than a subject for medical treat- 

 ment, as it is not known that it causes any serious symptoms 

 in the animal. 



The kidney itself has been known to be inhabited by a 

 larger worm, of similar appearance, called the Eustrongylus 

 gigas. It is not found in the substance of the kidney 

 itself, but in the pelvis or hollow curved portion in 

 which the secretion of urine takes place. Various symptoms 

 are popularly attributed to "kidney worms," especially a 

 weakness or partial palsy of the hinder limbs, inclination to 

 lie down, and awkwardness in the gait. The cure is said to 

 be to pour a tablespoonful of turpentine across the loins or 

 small of the back daily, for several days. It is quite uncer- 

 tain, however, that in such cases there is any worm present, 



