SWINE DISEASES AND THEIR CONTROL 177 



of all is the administration by way of the mouth, next 

 is by injection beneath the skin, the third is by direct 

 application to the affected parts, and the fourth is by 

 way of the rectum. There are other ways in whch medi- 

 cines may be administered, but they are seldom resorted 

 to. In administration by way of the mouth the medicine 

 may be given in the food in most cases, or else it may 

 be given as a drench, if proper care is taken. In drench- 

 ing a pig the important consideration is not to pour the 

 medicine in the pig's mouth while he is excited and 

 squealing, but to wait until it becomes quiet. Injections 

 under the skin are sometimes made use of where the 

 drugs are not too irritant. The administration of medi- 

 cine by way of the rectum is rarely made use of. Where 

 the dosage is to be given to a number of hogs care must 

 be exercised to get an even distribution to prevent over- 

 dosage and to get a sufficient dosage all the way round. 



Veterinarians. — There are a few troubles that occur 

 in the swine herd that can be treated by the herdsman 

 without the aid of a veterinarian. There are many times, 

 however, that the services of a veterinarian should be had 

 when they are not. By all means when a condition oc- 

 curs quite general over the herd a veterinarian should be 

 called if there is the least doubt as to the disease and its 

 condition. Even when the trouble is not general in the 

 herd, but is not understood and the disease is doubtful, 

 it will pay in most cases to consult a veterinarian. The 

 fact should be impressed upon the grower of swine that 

 practically all diseases of swine arc amenable to treat- 

 ment and control through the application of scientific 

 knowledge, and above all a licensed or graduate veteri- 

 narian should be called in, and not a quack who 



