DIGESTIVE SYSTEM 119 



ably does not produce any noticeable symptoms. The symptoms 

 evidenced will vary and depend upon the manner in which the para- 

 sites are damaging their host. If the hepatic duct is obstructed, 

 there will be digestive disturbances, associated with icterus. If the 

 bowel is obstructed, there will be evidence of obstruction colic. 

 Perforation of the bowel will result in peritonitis. The presence 

 of several of these parasites may be suspected when there is catarrhal 

 enteritis, especially when the swine are being properly cared for and 

 given a proper diet of wholesome food. Usually an occasional worm 

 will be passed in the feces. Unless infestation is sufficiently extensive 

 to produce visible symptoms, a positive diagnosis may not be made 

 until the parasites are eliminated or the ova are identified in the 

 feces by microscopic examination. If this condition persists for 

 some time the affected animals become imthrifty and emaciated. 



Treatment. — Prevention is far more satisfactory than treatment 

 of infested hogs. The extent of infestation can be materially dimin- 

 ished by keeping the quarters clean. The droppings should be 

 gathered and limed, and the floors in the piggery should be kept 

 clean, and limed or sprayed with some agent that is destructive to 

 the egg and embryo of the ascarids. Common salt destroys the 

 embryo and larvae of practically all animal parasites, but it must 

 be used with caution in hog premises, for it is also quite destructive 

 to hogs. 



Treatment of individual hogs is not difficult if capsules are used. 

 Santonin is probably the most reliable vermifuge for the elimination 

 of ascarids. It is advisable to combine santonin with calomel and 

 a purgative such as aloin. The dosage for a 50 to 100-pound shote 

 should be santonin and calomel 2i/2 grains each and aloin 5 grains. 

 It is always advisable to withhold feed and water for at least twelve 

 hours, the period depending upon weather conditions, before the 

 capsule is administered and then provide an ample supply of water 

 for the swine so they may drink freely after the capsules have 

 been administered. Care must be exercised that the capsule is not 

 deposited in the pharyngeal cul-de-sac and that no other injury is 

 done by the balling gun. 



Esophagostoina Dentatum 



Esophagostomiasis is a disease caused by the invasion of the 

 Esophagostoma dentatum into the submucosa of the large intestine 

 of swine, a condition not very common in America. This parasite 



