COMMON DISEASES OF SWINE 343 



shown by a weaving of the body, knuckling of the fetlocks, 

 and finally a paralysis more or less complete. The animal is 

 unable to raise itself on its hind legs and often drags the hind 

 quarters as it moves about. The disease occurs in swine of 

 all ages. This disease is popularly supposed to be caused by 

 ' kidney worm,' but there is no evidence to support this belief. 

 The disease seems to be located in the spinal cord at the lumbar 

 region, but the actual cause is unknown at present. 



" Some cases recover without treatment, but a majority of 

 the cases prove fatal. Generally the treatment is to give a 

 purgative of from one-half to two ounces of castor oil, depend- 

 ing upon the size of the animal, followed by nourishing, easily 

 digested feed. Rubbing the back vigorously with a good 

 veterinary liniment once daily is also beneficial." 



MANGE. 



Mange is caused by very small animal parasites called 

 mange mites, which burrow in the outer layer of the skin. 



The disease is most troublesome in young pigs, causing 

 great irritation, indicated by the little pigs scratching and rub- 

 bing themselves. Later, the hair stands erect, and thick scabs 

 form at the roots of the hair on the neck and shoulder top and 

 about the ears and face. Often the scabs extend along the 

 back to the root of the tail. 



Dr. Mayo, of the Virginia Experiment Station, strongly 

 recommends the lime and sulphur dip, which is made as fol- 

 lows: Take 8 pounds of fresh lime and slake with enough 

 water to form a thick paste. Sift into this paste 24 pounds 

 of flowers of sulphur and mix thoroughly with a hoe. Place 

 in a kettle with 25 or 30 gallons of water and boil for at least 

 one hour, then add enough water to make 100 gallons of dip. 

 The dip should be used warm, about 100 or 110 degrees 

 Fahrenheit. 



