24 DISEASES OF SWINE 



cases it is well to exercise the hog. A physic of 

 castor or linseed oil should be given, but overdosing 

 with physics should be avoided. The action of the 

 oil should be assisted by rectal injection of warm 

 soapy water. This line of treatment must be per- 

 sisted in, until the constipated condition is relieved. 



INFLAMMATION OF THE PERITONEUM— PERI- 

 TONITIS 



Causes. — This is not a common disease of hogs, 

 as the lining membrane of the abdominal cavity is 

 less succeptible to irritation from germs than that of 

 most other animals. Peritonitis usually occurs as a 

 result of an inflammation of the intestines, or womb, 

 and is more often met with in the female than in the 

 male, because of the difference in the development of 

 the generative organs. Other causes are injuries to 

 the abdominal walls and exposure to cold. 



Symptoms. — As peritonitis does not usually occur 

 as a distinct and separate disease, but secondarily, the 

 symptoms are usually overshadowed by the original 

 disease. The abdominal walls are held tense, the 

 breathing is carried on mainly by the ribs, the pulse 

 is quick and small, and the body temperature is 

 higher than normal. The hog acts dull and depressed, 

 refuses to eat, or eats but sparingly, and the abdomi- 

 nal pain may be severe. Diarrhoea sometimes occurs. 

 When the inflammation is in the region of the urinary 

 organs, urine is passed in small quantities and at fre- 

 quent intervals. The animal moves slowly and takes 



