COMMON DISEASES OF SWINE 337 



sary to make certain that their feed contains no germs. In 

 dairy districts, the practice of sterilizing skim-milk, butter- 

 milk, and whey is to be commended, because dairy by-products 

 constitute the main medium for transmitting the disease to 

 hogs. Sanitary surroundings, pure feed, and fresh air are the 

 feeder's main safeguards in connection with this dangerous 

 disease. 



INDIGESTION. 



Indigestion in various forms is caused by mistakes in feed- 

 ing. Over-feeding and lack of exercise will sometimes bring 

 on the trouble, or the feeding of swill containing injurious 

 substances, such as washing powders, is apt to cause derange- 

 ment. In the acute form it causes the animal a good deal of 

 pain, causing it to arch its back and give general evidences of 

 suffering. In such cases it is well to have a veterinarian 

 prescribe for the trouble. 



The chronic form sometimes follows an attack of acute 

 indigestion, causing an unthrifty, stunted condition of the 

 animal. Perhaps the best home remedy is a dose of castor oil, 

 followed by careful feeding upon easily digested feeds. If the 

 trouble is not relieved, a veterinarian should be consulted. 



CONSTIPATION. 



As mentioned in another place, constipation is most disas- 

 trous in the case of pregnant sows, and is the result of too little 

 exercise and too much concentrated feed. In cases of constipa- 

 tion, perhaps the simplest remedy is to give from two to four 

 ounces of raw linseed oil once daily in the slop of a mature 

 animal. If this is not effective, give four ounces of Epsom 

 salts. Give exercise and supply laxative feeds, such as bran, 

 oil meal, or ground flax-seed, foots or alfalfa. 



