COMMON DISEASES OF SWINE 309 



to give in this disease. The dose is twenty or thirty grains 

 in the feed, or as a drench, three times a day. Larger doses, 

 and at more frequent intervals, may be given in acute cases 

 for a short time. Quinine and bitter tonics can also be given. 

 Blistering . ointments and liniments should be applied to the 

 inflamed articulations." 



RICKETS. 



In this disease, which is commonly found among young 

 pigs, there is enlargement, bending, and distortion of the bones 

 of the joints and limbs, and fractures of leg bones are not. 

 uncommon. The bones do not contain their normal propor- 

 tion of mineral matter, and hence lack strength. It is claimed 

 that the disease is most common among closely in-bred hogs. 

 The excessive feeding of corn throughout generations of swine 

 is believed to be an exciting cause, or any conditions which 

 interfere with proper nutrition, such as disease or unsanitary 

 surroundings, may predispose towards the disease in question. 



Dr. Alexander of Wisconsin says : " Pigs affected with 

 rickets can seldom be profitably treated. Prevention is to be 

 sought by avoiding the causes mentioned, maintaining sanitary 

 conditions about the hogs, providing adequate supplies of 

 various feeds rich in all the requisites of a perfectly nourished 

 animal, and obviating degeneracy by careful selection of robust 

 sows and timely infusion of new blood." 



Plenty of mineral matter should be provided at all times 

 during the life of the pig. Methods and forms of supplying 

 mineral matter have already been given in this book. 



PARALYSIS. 



In Virginia Bulletin 189, Dr. Mayo writes: " The disease 

 first appears as a slight loss of control of the hind legs, as 



