306 BUILDINGS, SANITATION, AND DISEASES 



INFECTIOUS SOKE MOUTH. 



This disease is quite common in small pigs from a few days 

 to several weeks old. It is caused by a germ. Filthy quarters 

 and damp, muddy yards favor the development of the disease. 



One of the first symptoms is a disinclination to suck on the 

 part of nursing pigs, or a falling off in appetite in older pigs. 

 The lining membrane of the mouth becomes inflamed, and 

 sometimes the snout and lip's become swollen. Later, ulcers 

 form, often involving the lips and snout. 



Dr. Craig recommends the following treatment: 



" As soon as the disease breaks out in a litter, both the 

 mother and pigs 'should be removed from the herd. The affected 

 pigs can be treated by dipping head foremost into a four 

 per cent water solution of some reliable tar disinfectant ; or 

 permanganate of potassium, one ounce to a gallon of water, can 

 be used. A more thorough way to treat them is to wash out 

 the mouth by injecting the solution directly into it with a 

 syringe. It is advisable to use this method wherever prac- 

 ticable, and especially in advanced cases. It is also advisable 

 to clean the ulcerated parts by scraping away the dead tissue 

 and rubbing the surface of the ulcer with lunar caustic. The 

 above treatment should be repeated twice a day in advanced 

 cases, and in mild ones once a day. It should be kept up for as 

 long a time as necessary. It is usually more economical to 

 kill the badly diseased pigs than it is to treat them, as they are 

 apt to scatter the disease and become badly stunted and 

 deformed." 



If treatment is adopted upon the first appearance of trouble, 

 the disease is not too difficult to cure. 



THUMPS. 



This disease is caused by a disordered digestion which 

 irritates the nerves connected with the diaphragm, causing sud- 



