SWINE GEORGE E. DAY. 95 



Bronchitis most commonly occurs in young pigs, or pigs 

 under six months old. Matured pigs are seldom troubled 

 with it. If it attacks very young pigs, it is often fatal, but 

 pigs two or three months old will generally survive, though 

 their growth and thrift will be seriously interfered with. 

 The disease is accompanied by a distressing cough, which 

 usually disappears with the advent of warm weather and 

 outdoor exercise: Little can be done in the way of treat- 

 ment. Dry pens free from draughts, nourishing food, and 

 ■as much exercise as possible, are the principal points to be 

 observed. Damp, chilly pens are the most common cause 

 of this trouble. 



Pneumonia is more serious, and -is generally fatal. Some- 

 times the presence of a dead pig in the pen is the first inti- 

 mation of anything wrong. Some will drag along for a 

 -considerable time, coughing at frequent intervals, and others 

 will make a recovery, though they are seldom profitable 

 property. There is practically no treatment' other than that 

 ■described under bronchitis. The feeder who once has exper- 

 ience with pneumonia, will realize the importance of striv- 

 ing to prevent the disease, which usually comes from damp, 

 •chilly pens. Some forms of the disease are contagious, and 

 • it is a.lways safer to isolate affected pigs. 



Damp quarters are also a frequent cause of indigestion 

 and scouring in sucking pigs. This trouble will frequently 

 wipe out the whole of a promising early spring or winter • 

 litter. 



Though the list of troubles given above may not be com- 

 plete, it will serve to impress upon the feeder of swine, the 

 importance of ventilation and dry air in the piggery. 



Feeding. Mistakes in feeding are responsible for a num- 

 ber of ailments. Partial paralysis, thumps, and some forms 

 of coughs are perhaps the commonest troubles of this class. 

 The unnatural appetite which causes a sow to eat her pigs 

 is also believed to be caused by derangement of the digestive 

 organs; and many skin diseases are due to the same cause, 

 ■ or to a combination of causes. 



