DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE ORGANS 23 



(one-half to one tablespoonful), or nitrate of bis- 

 muth (one teaspoonfut) . When any one of these 

 drugs is used the dose should be repeated as often as 

 necessary, usually three times a day. The following 

 preparation is very useful: bismuth subnitrate (one- 

 quarter ounce), salol (one-quarter ounce), and bi- 

 carbonate of soda (one-half ounce); mix, and give 

 a small teaspoonful in a milk drench three times a 

 day. The animal should be kept quiet, and given 

 comfortable quarters. 



. CONSTIPATION * 



Constipation consists in an undue retention of the 

 feces, and their becoming hard and dry. It may pre- 

 cede a diarrhoea, beca.use of the dry and inflamed 

 condition of the intestines. It may also occur as a 

 symptom of other intestinal diseases. 



Symptoms. — The droppings are dry looking, and 

 may be more or less covered with mucus. A promi- 

 nent symptom is the straining attempts to defecate. 

 The appetite is impaired, the hog acts dull and stands 

 with the head down, or goes off by itself, hunts a 

 quiet place, and lies down. Colicky pains are some- 

 times manifested. Eversion of the rectum may occur, 

 especially if the animal has eaten freely of dry food. 



Constipation occurring from other causes than a 

 complication of disease seldom takes on a serious 

 form. 



Treatment. — ^When the animal becomes consti- 

 pated, all dry food should be withheld, a sloppy diet 

 fed, and plenty of drinking water allowed. In some 



