58 SWINE PRACTICE 



men. One man should grasp a hind leg and the other man the ears, 

 and by a quick movement the hog is thrown onto its side, and it 

 can be so held bj' placing one knee on its neck. This method of 

 restraint causes struggling and excitement of the restrained animal 

 and is therefore not advisable for the purpose of making a careful 

 physical examination except for examination for scabies or other 

 conditions in which there are no systemic disturbances. If swine 

 are difficult to catch in a large enclosure, they may be given a 

 small quantity of feed and then caught by slipping up behind them 

 and seizing a hind leg. 



In some instances where hurdles, small pens or alleys are not 

 available for confining swine, it may be necessary to snare the animals 

 by means of a rope in which a noose is provided. Such a snare may 

 be arranged over a trough and the hog be caught by the upper jaw, 

 or the noose may be placed on the ground and the hog caught by 

 the foot. 



Eestraint of swine for medication and the successful administra- 

 tion of medicaments offers considerable difficulty. When it is pos- 

 sible, medicaments are administered in feed or water, and this method 

 has been found to be efficacious in many instances and is desirable 

 when proper results can be obtained. 



When medicaments are to be given by mouth, it may be necessary 

 to use a speculum or gag to open the mouth. By the use of a metal 

 dose syringe with a 4 to 6-inch nozzle, fluids may be administered 

 without the use of a speculum or gag. Capsules containing drugs 

 designed to destroy or expel worms, are usually administered by 

 means of a swine balling gun. Such capsules are usually given to 

 pigs weighing from 40 to 100 pounds. A convenient method of 

 restraint for the purpose of giving capsules to this size pig, is to 

 have an assistant seize the pig by both forelegs, straddle the pig's 

 back and raise the pig sufficiently high so that the hind feet will 

 remain on the ground. The pig will usually squeal, and the operator 

 can then introduce the balling gun and deposit the capsule in th'^ 

 pig's pharynx. Care must be exercised in the giving of capsules by 

 means of a balling gun, or the capsule may be deposited in the 

 diverticulum or pocket in the sujierior part of the pharynx, or the 

 gun may be thrust through the mucous membrane of the pharynx 

 and cause serious trouble. Extensive losses of pigs have occiirred 

 as a result of improper administration of capsules. Some prefer to 

 use long forceps for the administration of capsules to pigs. 



