COMMON DISEASES OF SWINE 339 
INFECTIOUS SORE 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 lips 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- 
