180 SOUTHERN rORK PRODUCTION 



fat-making feeds without sufficient exercise. The dis- 

 ease is characterized by a fatty deposition around the 

 heart and by a partial replacing of the muscular tissue 

 of the heart with fatt}' tissue. The symptoms are a weak, 

 irregular heart action, generally accompanied by difficult 

 breathing. The prevention of the disease largely con- 

 sists in proper feeding with ample exercise. 



Digestive system. — There are many diseases affecting 

 directly and indirectly the digesti\'e system. This is be- 

 cause the system is so vitally connected with every other 

 system on the body. When the digesti\'e organs are 

 diseased all other parts of the body will suffer. The 

 proper feeding has more to do with the condition of the 

 digestive system than any other factor, and under health- 

 ful feeding conditions organic diseases will be largely 

 prevented and the animal will be better able to ward off 

 infectious and contagious diseases. Diseased conditions 

 of the digestive svstem are manifested in several ways. 

 The appetite is invariably affected one way or the other. 

 The pulse, temperature, and the respiration are also 

 affected in most diseases. Among the more important 

 diseases affecting the digestive system are indigestion or 

 gastritis, which occurs in both the chronic and acute 

 forms, gastro enteritis, scours, diarrhea, constipation, hog 

 cholera and thumps. 



Indigestion (gastritis). — Cases of indigestion are quite 

 common in the average herd. Many of these cases are 

 acute and others chronic. Where acute the cause is 

 generally due to over-feeding or to irritating feeds, and 

 indigestion is not infrequent from the administering of 

 quack remedies for fancied ailments. Poor care in feed- 



