’ DISEASES OF THE HOG. 87 
and may be rigid; pressure on the abdomen will 
ease the pain and the pig will sometimes lie flat on 
its belly for a few minutes. The pain often abates 
suddenly or it may last for hours, although it usu- 
ally yields to proper treatment. If possible find 
the cause. If it is from constipation give a dose 
of castor oil and from fifteen to twenty-five drops 
of tincture of opium in it. If the pain is very se- 
vere give twenty-five drops of the essence of pep- 
permint or spearmint dropped on sugar, or a tea- 
cupful of effusion of ginger or from one to three 
teaspoonfuls of the compound tincture of lavender. 
One to two teaspoonfuls of the camphorated tinc- 
ture of opium will usually be still more efficient; 
any of the above should be repeated at intervals of 
from one to two hours. If it should be very per- 
sistent give one-fourth of a grain of morphine hy- 
podermically. After the acute pain has subsided 
give the pig a dose of epsom salts to clean out the 
bowels. , 
CONSTIPATION. 
This term is applied to a condition of the bowels 
in which the passages-of feces are less frequent 
and of smaller quantities than normal. If this 
condition of things lasts for a time it will impair 
the health. 
Causes: Sows and young pigs that have been too 
highly fed are often troubled by constipation. Pigs 
which are confined in houses are often the victims 
of constipation, as exercise is needful for the prop- 
