182 DISEASES OF THE HOG 



the seat of the injury; if the animal is made to 

 move, as soon as the muscles of the face become 

 affected it champs its jaws, causing a froth at the 

 mouth; soon the muscles of the back become con- 

 tracted, drawing the head upwards with the nose 

 poked out, and the ears are pricked upwards and 

 inwards, the back bent downwards and the tail 

 elevated; the muscles are always in a state of con- 

 traction, but if the animal is disturbed in any way 

 there will be an extra spasm of the muscles which 

 causes great suffering to the animal. At first the 

 pulse is not much affected, but as the disease ad- 

 vances and the spasms become more severe it be- 

 comes faster and harder; the breathing also is fast- 

 er, especially when a spasm is on, sometimes the 

 spasms are so severe that the animal is thrown 

 down and is unable to rise; the muscles of degluti- 

 tion are sometimes affected and the animal is un- 

 able to swallow. 



Treatment: The disease is the result of an over- 

 exhilarated state of the spinal cord and requires a 

 strong dose of medicine which will overcome this 

 condition. I find that bromide of potassium will 

 accomplish this providing the doses are large 

 enough. Give the pig one ounce bromide of potas- 

 sium at the first dose and half an ounce every two 

 hours until the muscles relax, give the medicine in 

 gruel. Keep the animal hungry and thirsty so 

 that it will suck this into its mouth. Keep the pig 

 in a dark place. There are other medicines which 

 have been recommended, but they are of little use. 



