DISEASES OF THE LOCOMOTORY ORGANS 87 



latter cases may sho'W a serious train of symptoms. 

 Sows that have raised a Htter of pigs, and are in poor 

 flesh and debiHtated, are sometimes affected in this 

 way. 



A lameness of one or more of the extremities, that 

 shows a tendency to move about, is the only symptom 

 noticed in the mild form of the disease. Stiffness in 

 the gait is noticed, especially if the quarters are af- 

 fected, and the hog lies around the pen a good share 

 of the time and refuses to go far for its food. 



In acute rheurhatism the pain in the affected mus- 

 cles and joints is intense, and when these parts are 

 handled or the joints fixed; the animal will squeal. 

 When lying down asleep, sudden contraction? of the 

 muscles may be noticed. This is due to the pain 

 resulting from the relaxing of the muscles. 



The disease may pursue a long course, the joints 

 become greatly enlarged, and the hog grows very thin 

 and weak. In such cases a complete recovery does 

 not occur. Acute heart-disease is not an uncommon 

 complication. 



Treatment. — Preventive treatment is very impor- 

 tant. It means the providing of dry, comfortable 

 quarters, and the avoidance of exposure. Old straw 

 stacks should not be used as a shelter for hogs, and 

 the same is true of draughty, damp hog houses. 



An important part of the treatment is to provide 

 dry, warm, comfortable quarters for the sick ani- 

 mals. Unless this is practised, but little good can be 

 gotten from the medicinal treatment. A sloppy diet 

 is also indicated. Salicylate of soda is the most use- 



