DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE ORGANS 1 5 



have an intense thirst. The intestines are consti- 

 pated at this stage of the disease, later a diarrhoea 

 is present. When the stomach is involved, vomiting 

 is one of the prominent symptoms. 



The hog finally becomes very weak, and is gen- 

 erally seen lying down in a bed that it has rooted for 

 itself in the litter. There is no rule as to the duration 

 of the disease. It may last for a short time or con- 

 tinue for a we6k or more. 



Lesions. — The mucous membrane lining the stom- 

 ach and intestines is thickened and inflamed. If the 

 inflammatory changes have been going on for some 

 time, small pouch-like ulcers (follicular) may be seen 

 scattered over the mucous surface. The mesenteric 

 lymphatic glands are also red and inflamed. 



In severe cases the entire wall of the small intes- 

 tine and the peritoneum may take part in the inflam- 

 mation. The contents of the intestines are mucous 

 and flaky, sometimes mixed with blood. 



Treatment. — The preventive treatment consists in 

 bettering the hygenic conditions in the hog lot, and 

 avoiding poisonous and irritating slops. The same 

 measures of prevention recommended in acute and 

 chronic indigestion are indicated in this disease. 



The hog should be given clean, comfortable quar- 

 ters, if vomiting has not occurred early in the at- 

 tack, the offensive material should Jbe gotten rid of 

 by giving an emetic of ipecacuanha (twenty or thirty 

 grains in a little water). Sulphate of zinc (ten to 

 fifteen grains), can be used in the same way as the 

 ipecacuanha, and is a useful emetic in hogs. This can 



