Common Diseases of Swine. 153 



that burrows under the scurf skin and causes great irrita- 

 tion, practically destroying that part of the skin, so that a 

 little scab forms. This, on account of great itching, causes 

 the animal to rub and this disease soon becomes general 

 throughout the herd. The scabs formed are rubbed and 

 soon become a raw sore. The first appearance will be found 

 on the thin parts of the skin ; back of the ears ; inside the 

 thighs or upon the back. The parasite may he readily seen 

 with a pocket magnifying glass. 



When first discovered remove all unaffected pigs to build- 

 ings or grounds where affected pigs have not been. 



Treatment — First wash the pig all over with soap-suds, 

 and then rub in dry sulphur. The sulphur coming in contact 

 with the sores foi"ms a compound that is poisonous to the 

 parasite. Another sure remedy is to steep two ounces of 

 stavesacre seeds in one and one-half quarts of water. 

 Keep water nearly boiling for an hour, then add enough 

 water to make up the quantity originally placed in the 

 vessel. This solution, rubbed well into the skin, will kill 

 both the parasite and its eggs. This may be repeated if 

 necessary. Animals that are occasionally dipped with any 

 of the coal tar preparations will never have mange. Pre- 

 vention is better than cure. This is one reason why pigs 

 should be either dipped or thoroughly wet with some of the 

 foregoing dips as a preventive to any skin trouble. 



