LECTURE LIII. 

 COMMON DISEASES OF SWINE. 



RHEUMATISM. 



This disease is rather common in swine and affects either the 

 muscles or joints. 



Cause. — Frequently due to cold damp quarters, and yet 

 cases of rheumatism appear under the most favorable conditions. 

 It is not thought best to discuss the physiological chemistry in- 

 volved, in view of the uncertainty which still exists. 



Symptoms. — Affected animals are lame and sore. The exact 

 symptoms depend of course upon the location. Very frequently 

 the ankle joints are swollen and very tender. There is a rise of 

 temperature in the acute cases. Food is refused and movements 

 are very painful. This disease in swine, as in other animals,' ex- 

 hibits a tendency to move about from one limb or from one joint 

 to another. 



Treatment. — Physic freely; two ounces Epsom salts or two 

 ounces castor oil, or two compound cathartic pills, then 15 drops 

 oil of Gaultheria in one-half ounce of bland oil, like linseed oil 

 or sweet oil, together with potassium iodide in ten grain doses 

 three times a day, given either in water or feed. For local stimu- 

 lant over the joints, apply the following liniment : 8 oz. tincture 

 belladona ; 1 oz. tincture opium ; and 1 oz. fluid extract aconite. 

 This treatment should be applied freely on flannel cloths rung 

 out of hot water dry as possible. For swollen joints that are not 

 especially painful a blister gives more satisfactory results. 



POSTERIOR PARALYSIS. 



This is a rather common and serious disease affecting espe- 

 cially older swine and involving the hind quarters. In most cases 

 it is probably a disorder of either the spinal cord or the spinal 

 nerves. The exact pathology has not been demonstrated. 



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