DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE ORGANS 21 



are more apt to have scours than when kept in clean 

 pens and allowed plenty of exercise, pure air, and 

 sunshine. Some outbreaks seem to be of an infec- 

 tious character, as is the case in lambs and calves. 



Symptoms. — The symptoms may set in so soon 

 after birth that the pig is seemingly born with the 

 affection. When the disease does not come on until 

 the pig is a few days or a few weeks old, the scours 

 are generally preceded by constipation. 



The symptoms are fluid evacuations, grayish in col- 

 or, and possessing a disagreeable odor. These be- 

 come more watery as the disease progresses, and the 

 tail and hind parts become soiled with the discharges. 

 At the beginning the appetite may be good, but it is 

 gradually lost, and the pig becomes dull and weak. 

 The back is arched, the hair rough, and there is an 

 indisposition to move about. 



When the. symptoms set in soon after birth the 

 disease is more fatal, and a larger per cent, die than 

 when, the pigs are a week or so old. 



Treatment. — As scours in pigs is a disease largely 

 due to a faulty diet and unhygenic conditions, the 

 preventive treatment is of more importance and gives 

 better results than the medicinal. 



At the time of farrowing the sow should be fed a 

 light diet, and the pen kept clean and dry. The pigs 

 should be allowed plenty of exercise, pure air, and 

 sunshine. If the mother appears feverish, she should 

 be given a physic of castor oil (two or three ounces). 

 Sour swill and mouldy feed should not be fed. 



To check the scours in the pigs, two or three tea- 



