COMMON DISEASES OF SWINE. 225 



Causes. — The direct cause of those cases which depend upon 

 organic diseases of the cord or spinal nerves is not known. A 

 more common type develops suddenly in old and heavy swine, 

 particularly those in high flesh and is due to simple constipation. 



Symptoms. — Some cases develop suddenly ; others develop 

 gradually during several clays and even weeks. There is inabil- 

 ity to use the hind limbs which are limp and weak, not unlike af- 

 fected limbs of horses having azoturia. Hogs affected with this 

 disease usually retain good appetite and are lively aside from the 

 posterior paralysis. They are apparently in good health for weeks, 

 having perfect control of the front limbs. If they move at all 

 the hind limbs are simply dragged. This trouble is easilv dis- 

 tinguished from rheumatism in most cases by absence of pain. 



Treatment. — A decided physic, 10 to 20 grains of calomel 

 in a small piece of pork ; or 2 oz. castor oil with 2 drops of croton 

 oil, well mixed. If the case is persistent and the animal valuable 

 then potassium iodide should be given in ten grain doses three 

 times a day, either as a drench or in the drink. Turpentine should 

 lie applied over the loins until the skin becomes sore. 



CONGESTION OF THE LUNGS. 



This is a rather common affliction and very apt to be fatal. 

 It is simply an engorgement of the pulmonary blood vessels ( hy- 

 peraemia). 



Cause. — Active exercise of swine in high flesh. 



Symptoms. — These cases are usually acute and apt to end 

 fatally. The symptoms are those of suffocation. There is marked 

 distress ; respiration is very rapid, even the mouth being held open 

 in an effort to get air. The pulse is very rapid and weak and the 

 animal is apt to fall suddenly. 



On examination postmortem the pulmonary vessels are en- 

 gorged and the lungs are dark. There is no definite exudate 

 which distingushes this from pneumonia, pneumonia being an in- 

 flammation of the lung tissues. 



Treatment. — Stimulant: Use aromatic spirits ammonia 1 

 dram; alcohol 4 drams, in water repeated at short intervals; for 

 example, 15 minutes to one-half hour. The animal must be kept 

 warm and the extremities rubbed vigorously. 



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