DISEASES OF THE HOG. 153 



applj^ the oxide of zinc ointment, made by mixing 

 one ounce of the oxide of zinc with two ounces of 

 vaseline. This can be used once or twice a day, 

 according to the severity of the case. 



5CALY DISEASES OF THE SKIN. 



There are a number which are usually classed 

 together as it would be impossible to distinguish 

 one from the other in the pig, namely psoriasis, 

 lepra, pityriasis, etc. 



Causes: Heat of the sun in summer and cold in 

 winter. This condition of temperature has a w^on- 

 derful effect on the skin of some hogs. There are 

 other causes whi^h are obscure. The disease is 

 not contagious. 



Symptoms: The disease first begins by the for- 

 mation of minute pimples too small to be seen on 

 the skin of the pig; these pimples dry up and the 

 scarf skin peels off in flakes; this is usually re- 

 peated several times and may pass away. At oth- 

 ers the skin is inflamed, thickened, and intersected 

 in all directions with furrows which are often deep 

 and filled with a white powdery matter; the hair 

 comes off and will not grow until the skin becomes 

 healthy. Pigs affected with this scaly disease pre- 

 sent a very ugly appearance, and it is the most 

 common form of skin disease among hogs. In 

 some few cases the skin will crack, causing much 

 pain to the animal when it moves, especially if it 

 be in the region of the joints. 



Treatment: If the pig is fat give it from one to 

 two ounces of sulphate of magnesia dissolved in 



