124 SWINE PRACTICE 



mal amount. Oleaginous purgatives, such as castor oil frequently 

 repeated in relatively small doses, should be administered until the 

 content of the intestine has been removed. Intestinal antiseptics 

 should be administered in the feed. If the diarrhea is not corrected 

 by the use of oleaginous purgatives and intestinal antiseptics, bis- 

 muth subnitrate in dram doses should be used. 



Constipation 



Constipation is a condition in which the fecal matter becomes 

 relatively dry and hard and there is infrequent and incomplete 

 elimination from the bowel. It is a symptom of a variety of diseases 

 and may occur as a primary condition. 



Etiology. — Constipation as a primary condition is usually pro- 

 duced by improper feeding or insufficient exercise. Feeding upon 

 dry bulky feeds, especially if water is supplied in limited quanti- 

 ties, usually results in constipation. When swine are closely con- 

 fined, as is frequently the case with fattening hogs, brood sows or 

 boars cr when there is no inducement to take exercise, constipation 

 is likely to occur. Intestinal parasitism may cause constipation. In 

 the various febrile diseases constipation is a common symptom. 



Symptoms. — Frequently attempts to defecate with the passage of 

 small quantities of hard feces is the prominent symptom of constipa- 

 tion. There may be a fullness of the abdomen, and in some cases 

 accumulation of gas in the intestine may be observed. If the consti- 

 pation continues for several days the affected animal will have a 

 diminished appetite and may show evidence of colicky pains. Af- 

 fected animals are dull and have a tendency to assume the decubital 

 position. As a result of frequent straining in attempting to de- 

 fecate there may be eversion of the rectum. In extreme cases the af- 

 fected animals may vomit. 



Treatment. — If the diet is found to have been the principal causa- 

 tive factor it should be corrected. Arrangements should be made for 

 proper exercise of the affected animals. Slop feed in limited quanti- 

 ty and an abundance of water should be provided. In severe cases 

 enemas will be found of value. Care must be exercised not to over- 

 dilate the intestine and it is advisable to use a warm solution to stimu- 

 late intestinal movement. 



Laxatives or purgatives may be administered, providing the pos- 

 terior bowel is not impacted with dry fecal matter. Castor oil or 



